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Will Utility Scale PV Reach Grid Parity without Incentives?

Author: ; Published: Oct 20, 2009; Categories: Balance of System (BOS), PhotoVoltaic, Utility Scale; Comments: 2

The cost of PV Crystalline modules is dropping, and more and more cost reduction steps are taking place at the BOS level, such as Suntech’s release of the Reliathon product line. Reliathon is a cost reduction platform with Array Technologies’ DuraTrack HZ single axis tracker and multiple utility scale inverter manufacturers.

Is utility scale PV on a path to compete on a cost per AC MWH produced level with CSP, Wind or eventually traditional fossil fuel or nuclear power plants? 

With government incentives such as the investment tax credit (ITC) as well as the emerging REC (Renewable Energy Credits) and Carbon Credits markets, utility scale PV plants are cost competitive now, but will they be able to reach grid parity in the absence of these incentives in the future?

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