Changes

Grid parity refers to the point where power provided by solar panels (photovoltaic solar) is at the same or lower price of conventional power sources such as coal, natural gas or nuclear.  The price per watt of installed solar has been steadily falling while the price of other energy sources including wind power has been steadily rising.  A historic crossover with nuclear power occurred in 2010.  In regions with adequate sun exposure electricity can now be produced at a lower cost per kWh with PV solar than with nuclear power.  The price for a DIY residential grid-tie solar system can be as low as $2.50/w (2011), before subsidies or tax credits.  At this price the system would pay for itself in ~12 years, many utilities offer incentives that can lower payback to <4 years.  Most systems carry a 25-30 year warranty.  Due to the fact that most solar power is produced when electric demand is highest, between 3pm - 7pm many utilities actually benefit from paying their customers to install solar panels since most districts do not charge peak rates.  It can cost a major utility as much as $.50/kwh during peak demand while solar production credits are usually ~$.20/kwh.  Roof-top PV can be extremely cost-effective since no land needs to be purchased.

Grid parity refers to the point where power provided by solar panels (photovoltaic solar) is at the same or lower price of conventional power sources such as coal, natural gas or nuclear.  The price per watt of installed solar has been steadily falling while the price of other energy sources including wind power has been steadily rising.  A historic crossover with nuclear power occurred in 2010.  In regions with adequate sun exposure electricity can now be produced at a lower cost per kWh with PV solar than with nuclear power.  The price for a DIY residential grid-tie solar system can be as low as $2.50/w (2011), before subsidies or tax credits.  At this price the system would pay for itself in ~12 years, many utilities offer incentives that can lower payback to <4 years.  Most systems carry a 25-30 year warranty.  Due to the fact that most solar power is produced when electric demand is highest, between 3pm - 7pm many utilities actually benefit from paying their customers to install solar panels since most districts do not charge peak rates.  It can cost a major utility as much as $.50/kwh during peak demand while solar production credits are usually ~$.20/kwh.  Roof-top PV can be extremely cost-effective since no land needs to be purchased.

==Distributed Generation==

==Distributed generation==

Conventional sources of power generation are concentrated in power plants that range from 100MW to 1000MW.  Distributed Generation is the grid-tied production of electricity from smaller generators typically less than 100&nbsp;kW.  Solar Power is an ideal source of energy for distributed generation.  Most residential rooftops are capable of supporting at least 3&nbsp;kW of solar panels while many commercial warehouses can support several MW of solar PV.  In sunny regions of the US this is adequate to provide >50% of the electricity requirements for the average US household.  One major advantage to distributed generation is that it is consumed very close to where it is produced, this decreases the stress on America's electric grid which is already operating near capacity.  Germany is an example of how effective distributed generation can be adding 7 GW of solar power in 2010 alone, this is more electricity than is produced by a nuclear power plant.  Solar power often provides >10% of electricity in Germany during the day and doubled in capacity from 2009 to 2010.

Conventional sources of power generation are concentrated in power plants that range from 100MW to 1000MW.  Distributed Generation is the grid-tied production of electricity from smaller generators typically less than 100&nbsp;kW.  Solar Power is an ideal source of energy for distributed generation.  Most residential rooftops are capable of supporting at least 3&nbsp;kW of solar panels while many commercial warehouses can support several MW of solar PV.  In sunny regions of the US this is adequate to provide >50% of the electricity requirements for the average US household.  One major advantage to distributed generation is that it is consumed very close to where it is produced, this decreases the stress on America's electric grid which is already operating near capacity.  Germany is an example of how effective distributed generation can be adding 7 GW of solar power in 2010 alone, this is more electricity than is produced by a nuclear power plant.  Solar power often provides >10% of electricity in Germany during the day and doubled in capacity from 2009 to 2010.

==World Wide Solar PV Increase==  {{Copyright Details (US Government)}}  

==World wide solar PV increase==  {{Copyright Details (US Government)}}  

In 2012 in the United States, wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) were two of the fastestgro wing electric generation technologies. In 2012, cumulative installed wind capacity increased by nearly 28% and cumulative installed solar photovoltaic capacity grew

In 2012 in the United States, wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) were two of the fastest growing electric generation technologies. In 2012, cumulative installed wind capacity increased by nearly 28% and cumulative installed solar photovoltaic capacity grew

more than 83% from the previous year.

more than 83% from the previous year.

Solar electricity generating capacity grew by a factor of over 21 between 2000 and 2012 and currently accounts for 0.3% of annual U.S. electricity generation. Countries with extensive solar policies—such as Germany, Spain, and Italy— lead the world in solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment. Similarly, U.S. states with extensive solar incentives lead the United States in both cumulative and

Solar electricity generating capacity grew by a factor of over 21 between 2000 and 2012 and currently accounts for 0.3% of annual U.S. electricity generation. Countries with extensive solar policies—such as Germany, Spain, and Italy— lead the world in solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment. Similarly, U.S. states with extensive solar incentives lead the United States in both cumulative and

Renewables accounted for more than 50% of the world’s additional electricity capacity in 2015. Despite lower fossil fuel prices and thanks to government support, costs for wind and solar continue to fall.<ref>http://www.iea.org/bookshop/734-Medium-Term_Renewable_Energy_Market_Report_2016</ref>

Renewables accounted for more than 50% of the world’s additional electricity capacity in 2015. Despite lower fossil fuel prices and thanks to government support, costs for wind and solar continue to fall.<ref>http://www.iea.org/bookshop/734-Medium-Term_Renewable_Energy_Market_Report_2016</ref>

==Solar Power Stations in the United States==

==Solar power stations in the United States==

''This is an incomplete list. Please expand:''

''This is an incomplete list. Please expand:''

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Energy]]

[[Category:Renewable Energy]]