Cost of electricity generated by wind power and photovoltaic power

In 2023, the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from newly commissioned utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind, offshore wind and hydropower fell.

The average cost per unit of energy generated across the lifetime of a new power plant. This data is expressed in US dollars per kilowatt-hour. It is adjusted for inflation but does not account for differences in the cost of living between countries.

wind in AEO2022 was $1,411 per kilowatt (kW), and for solar PV with tracking, it was $1,323/kW, which represents the cost of building a plant excluding regional factors. Region-specific factors contributing to the substantial regional variation in cost include differences in typical project size across regions, accessibility of resources, and.

In 2022, the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from newly commissioned utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PV), onshore wind, concentrating solar power (CSP), bioenergy and geothermal energy all fell, despite rising materials and equipment costs.

electricity from the electric power grid for charging. The importance of each of these factors varies across technologies. For technologies with no fuel costs and relatively small variable costs, such as solar and wind electric-generating technologies, LCOE changes nearly in proportion to the estimated capital cost of the technology.

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6 FAQs about [Cost of electricity generated by wind power and photovoltaic power]

Are solar PV projects reducing the cost of electricity in 2022?

Between 2022 and 2023, utility-scale solar PV projects showed the most significant decrease (by 12%). For newly commissioned onshore wind projects, the global weighted average LCOE fell by 3% year-on-year; whilst for offshore wind, the cost of electricity of new projects decreased by 7% compared to 2022.

How much will new solar and wind power cost in 2021?

The lifetime cost per kWh of new solar and wind capacity added in Europe in 2021 will average at least four to six times less than the marginal generating costs of fossil fuels in 2022. Globally, new renewable capacity added in 2021 could reduce electricity generation costs in 2022 by at least USD 55 billion.

Why did solar power costs fall in 2021?

The global weighted average cost of newly commissioned solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore and offshore wind power projects fell in 2021. This was despite rising materials and equipment costs, given that there is a significant lag in the pass through to total installed costs.

How will solar PV & wind impact global electricity generation?

The share of solar PV and wind in global electricity generation is forecast to double to 25% in 2028 in our main case. This rapid expansion in the next five years will have implications for power systems worldwide.

Are 'projected costs of generating electricity' falling?

The key insight of the 2020 edition of Projected Costs of Generating Electricity is that the levelised costs of electricity generation of low-carbon generation technologies are falling and are increasingly below the costs of conventional fossil fuel generation.

Are solar power plants cheaper than fossil fuels?

In 2023, an estimated 96% of newly installed, utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind capacity had lower generation costs than new coal and natural gas plants. In addition, three-quarters of new wind and solar PV plants offered cheaper power than existing fossil fuel facilities.

Cost of electricity generated by wind power and photovoltaic power