Solar PV cheapest power generation technology in Germany

Modern solar PV installations in Germany have the lowest power generation costs of all technologies, the Fraunhofer ISE research institute writes in a press release. Depending on the type of installation and the sun's intensity, generating one kilowatt hour (kWh) with solar PV costs between 3.71 and 11.54 eurocents, according to a study conducted by the institute. Onshore wind power comes second, with prices ranging between 3.99 and 8.23 eurocents/kWh, while offshore wind power is more costly due to higher construction and maintenance costs, bringing the price per kWh up to somewhere between 7.49 and 13.79 eurocents/kWh. Fraunhofer ISE says modern lignite plants will need between 4.59 and 7.98 eurocents to generate one kWh, while natural gas plants require 11.03 to 21.94 eurocents/kWh. “Due to technological progress, field solar PV installations in southern Germany and onshore wind power turbines at windy locations will undercut the average power generation costs of all fossil plants by 2035,” Fraunhofer ISE says.

Find the press release in German here.