SolFarm Solar Co.

  • About Solfarm
    • About Solfarm Solar Co.
    • Meet Our Team
    • Featured Projects
    • Employment Opportunities
  • About Solar Energy
    • Why Go Solar
    • How Solar Energy Works
    • Solar Energy FAQ
  • Services
    • Residential Solar
    • Commercial Solar
    • Non-Profit Solar Energy
    • Battery Backup Power
    • Smartflower
    • Removal & Re-Installation
    • Solar Energy Maintenance
    • Microgrids
    • EV Charging Stations
  • Financing, Incentives & Rebates
    • Solar Energy Financing
    • South Carolina Savings
    • USDA REAP Grants & Loans
  • Blog
  • Contact
REQUEST A QUOTE
  • Home
  • 2019
  • January

Four Decades of Dropping Solar Prices Explained

Wednesday, 09 January 2019 by solfarm

Did you know the price of solar energy has dropped 99% since its major debut four decades ago?!  A recent analysis by MIT researchers contributes this radical reduction in pricing to not only innovations in technology but also, and mostly, to government policy.

Solar energy, not unlike most technologies, has benefited greatly from the common contributors: research and development, private investment, and growing economy of scale. Researchers found that private investment and R&D only got the technology so far in its early years. It wasn’t until policy began stimulating market growth that solar energy really began to advance. Policy changes included renewable portfolio standards, feed-in tariffs and subsidies. With government invested in the growth of solar energy technology R&D funding followed; this funding accounted for even more reduction in costs.

Now, with a much larger economy of scale, manufacturers had the financial means to push the limits and reach for greater efficiencies from the many pieces of equipment used in solar energy systems. Solar panels themselves continue to become more energy dense; capable of capturing more energy given a smaller surface area. Inverters are nearing 100% efficiency and utility grids are adapting to make better use of distributed energy sources.

With these findings it is easy to see how policy can play a critical role in the progress of technology. Researchers feel that there is still more to come for the solar industry and see potential for continued advancements in the technology and also further reductions in costs.

To read the article in full please follow the link:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181120073818.htm

Read more
  • Published in Policy, Solar Energy
No Comments

Recent Posts

  • OpenSolar Test Lead Form

    ...
  • SolFarm partners with non-profits to train and employ individuals from economically marginalized communities

    The renewable energy sector, and solar energy s...
  • EV charging infrastructure

    EV Market Growth and Infrastructure Expansion

    It really is a “Which came first? The chicken o...
  • Solar shingles

    Solar Shingles – Worth the Hype?

    There has been a lot of buzz about solar shingl...
  • Enphase Ensemble and microinverter

    IQ8 Microinverter and the all new Ensemble by Enphase

    Enphase Energy’s Ensemble Enphase’s newest and ...

Archives

  • April 2022
  • May 2021
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

Categories

  • Climate Change
  • Logistic
  • Policy
  • Residential Installation
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar News
  • Solar Technology
  • Solfarm News
  • Tesla Solar Tiles
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Uncategorized

  • Read more + April 12, 2022 By solfarm in Uncategorized

    OpenSolar Test Lead Form

  • Read more + May 26, 2021 By solfarm in Solar Energy, Solfarm News

    SolFarm partners with non-profits to train and employ individuals from economically marginalized communities

  • EV charging infrastructure Read more + March 5, 2020 By solfarm in Climate Change, Policy

    EV Market Growth and Infrastructure Expansion

  • Solar shingles Read more + January 6, 2020 By solfarm in Solar Technology

    Solar Shingles – Worth the Hype?

  • Enphase Ensemble and microinverter Read more + July 18, 2019 By solfarm in Solar Technology

    IQ8 Microinverter and the all new Ensemble by Enphase

  • Fossil Fuel pollution Read more + June 7, 2019 By solfarm in Policy

    Mammoth Fossil Fuel Subsidies

  • Residential solar panels Read more + May 21, 2019 By solfarm in Solar Energy, Solar News

    Solar Panels Increase Home Resale Value

  • Read more + February 8, 2019 By solfarm in Climate Change, Policy, Solar News

    DC’s Ambitious Clean Energy Requirement

  • Read more + January 9, 2019 By solfarm in Policy, Solar Energy

    Four Decades of Dropping Solar Prices Explained

  • solfarm solar co barn usda rural renewable energy Read more + December 12, 2018 By solfarm in Solar Energy, Solar News

    USDA Grants & Loans For Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

SolFarm Solar Co logo white

SolFarm offers full-service solar installation for Residential and Commercial customers. We have a team of certified solar professionals ready to work with you in designing your new system. SolFarm is committed to the relationship we start building at the initial consultation. We will be with you in every step of the installation process and beyond.

Contact SolFarm Solar Co.

ASHEVILLE OFFICE PHONE:

(828) 332 - 3003

info@solfarm.com

ASHEVILLE OFFICE ADDRESS:

739 Glenn Bridge Rd
Arden, NC 28704

TOP