Solar, Wind Costs Could Fall Up to 59 Percent by 2025, Study Says

The average cost of electricity generated by solar and wind energy could fall by up to 59 percent by 2025 if the right policies are in place, a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said on Wednesday.

Since 2009, solar photovoltaic (PV) module prices have fallen by 80 percent and wind turbine prices have fallen by around 30-40 percent as renewable energy capacity has grown to record levels and technologies have improved.

Solar and wind technologies can continue to fall in price to 2025 and beyond if governments set policies to minimize transaction costs and to streamline administrative procedures and approval processes, the report said.

IRENA estimates the global weighted average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of solar PV could fall by 59 percent by 2025 from 2015; the LCOE of offshore wind could fall by 35 percent and the LCOE of onshore wind by 26 percent.

The LCOE of concentrating solar power could also be as much as 43 percent lower by 2025.

The LCOE comprises the cost of generating a megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity; the upfront capital and development cost; the cost of equity and debt finance and operating and maintenance fees.

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