by CleanBeta
The cost of electricity from photovoltaic (PV) systems has dropped 15- to 20-fold; and grid-connected PV systems currently sell for about $5-$10 per peak Watt (20 to 50¢/kWh), including support structures, power conditioning, and land. They are highly reliable and last 20 years or longer.
Hundreds of applications are cost-effective for off-grid needs. However, the fastest growing segment of the market is grid-connected PV, such as roof-mounted arrays on homes and commercial buildings in the United States. California and other states are currently subsidizing PV systems because it is considered cost-effective to reduce their peak daytime loads for air-conditioning, which matches PV output.
