Solar vs. natural gas, environment vs. economicsSolar PV is not yet competitive with fossil fuel like natural gas from the utilities' perspective and the road ahead is long, according to research from Stanford University. The authors of "The Prospects for Cost-Competitive Solar PV" have concluded that if a utility that can build a new natural gas power plant or invest in solar installations, they will go with natural gas. For the time being, that is. The research also contends that if the industry can continue to lower the cost of solar panels and tax subsidies persist, utility-scale installations could become cost-competitive within 15 years. In some states, like California, utility-scale solar installations are being driven by state and local subsidies to defer some of the current cost inequities of solar, as well as mandated renewable energy requirements. For more: |