NREL research dispels solar cost myths

By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

According to research conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Chinese solar manufacturers do not enjoy any cost saving advantages over those solar manufacturers in the United States. This research dispels incorrect assumptions of the opposite and confirms that Chinese production of crystalline silicon solar technology for the U.S. market costs more than U.S. production for the domestic market, when the costs of shipping are included.

NREL contends that Chinese producers have an inherent cost advantage of no more than 1 percent, compared with U.S. producers. When trans-ocean shipping costs are factored in, Chinese producers are at a 5 percent cost disadvantage.