Price of photovoltaic panels of China Southern Power Grid

Although solar photovoltaic use grows rapidly in China, comparison with grid prices is difficult as photovoltaic electricity prices depend on local factors. Using prefecture-level data, Yan et al. find that 100% of user-side systems can achieve grid parity, while 22% can produce electricity cheaper than coal-based power plants.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative In recent years, China has become not just a large producer but a major market for solar photovoltaics (PV), increasing interest in solar electricity prices in China.

Additionally, the cost of solar PV power generation was CNY5.6–15.1 kWh −1 in 2000, which fell to CNY0.29–0.79 kWh −1 in 2018, with an average annual decrease of CNY0.28–0.75 kWh −1 (Fig. 1). Technological progress sheds light on less expensive and more commercially viable solar systems, and increases the competitiveness of the solar PV market.

As early as 2011, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Energy Research Institute conducted a detailed analysis of the solar PV grid parity trajectory in China, and proposed a roadmap with two scenarios.

The cost of solar PV electricity generation is affected by many local factors, making it a challenge to understand whether China has reached the threshold at which a grid-connected solar PV system supplies electricity to the end user at the same price as grid-supplied power or the price of desulfurized coal electricity, or even lower.

Analysis by S&P Global suggests new power pricing measures in China could bring a rush of new installations in the country during the first half of the year and lead to an increase in solar module prices first domestically, then internationally.