Cost of solar energy per megawatt-hour

Back in 2010, a megawatt hour of electricity gleaned from solar photovoltaic cost a global average $378 to generate. That's without the effect of any subsidies which may have been applicable in some areas.

And ultra-supercritical coal is a type of coal plant that is more efficient than traditional coal plants: Energy coming from older plants is even more expensive. The base cost of solar energy is only $23.52 per megawatt-hour, which is almost half the base cost of coal, $43.80 per megawatt-hour. Is Solar the Cheapest Form of Energy?

The solar price for commercial projects varies based on system size, location, energy needs, and available incentives. Unlike residential solar, commercial solar pricing benefits from economies of scale, resulting in a lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

The peer-reviewed study shows solar power produced in Texas is more than triple the cost of nuclear power, more than quadruple the cost of coal power, and more than 10 times the cost of natural gas power. By the full-system numbers, solar power in Texas costs $413 per megawatt hour (mwh) of generation. Wind power costs $291 per mwh.

Projected change in price by fuel type, 2022-2050 Solar, wind, and hydropower are based on the projected levelized cost of energy, which includes capital expenditures and operating costs, while natural gas, coal, and nuclear are based on the projected cost of only the heat content of these plants.

The solar price for utility-scale projects is measured using LCOE, which typically has the lowest LCOE among all solar PV sectors. As solar prices continue to decline, utility solar PV plays a key role in the global energy transition, supporting large-scale renewable energy adoption.