North Carolina, two U.S. researchers claim that solar electricity even cheaper than the next generation of nuclear power. According to researchers at Duke University in the state in a report released last month, where the sharp decline in the price of solar power has been lower than the cost of new nuclear power. The authors say their research pointed to a “historic position”, which greatly strengthened the power of renewable energy investments, advocates the same time weakening the voice of large-scale international nuclear power development.

Report, North Carolina commercial-scale solar electric power utility companies to provide electricity for the price of 14 cents per kWh or less. At the same time, the two new nuclear power plants are being planned to promote local energy companies (DukeEnergy and ProgressEnergy) nuclear power price based on current estimated 14 to 18 cents per unit.

This “translocation” The main reason is that over the past decade the cost of solar PV systems have fallen significantly. The report cites data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, said the cost of PV in 1998, 12 U.S. dollars per installed watt dropped to 8 in 2008 dollars, fell by an average of 10 years, 1 / 3. 2008 to 2009 declined more rapidly that in 1998 12 years since the costs in half. At the same time, nuclear energy costs are going up. Peak in the nuclear era has just began, the United States the cost of building a reactor is about 20 billion U.S. dollars, is now a 10 billion U.S. dollars.

Of course, the Duke University study to be affected by regional conditions, 14 cents / kWh data is net of net of public subsidies, is the regulatory environment in North Carolina values, where the tax on solar power and pay concessions reduce the users cost. But the authors believe that solar energy is expected to be the next ten years without government subsidies take the case of price competition. Compared with other alternatives, solar energy, and their competitiveness. Report the information to be passed as a whole is not unique to North Carolina. Britain’s largest solar energy company Solarcentury company’s founder predicted five years, “even cloudy Britain,” also allows the solar energy and fossil fuels to generate electricity evenly divided. Google has announced a breakthrough in efforts to make renewable energy cost less than coal. Development have been around taking the practical steps. As of the end of 2009, total installed capacity of solar power around the world more than 22 million kilowatts, while in just one year of additional capacity to 700 million kilowatts, half of whom are in Germany.

However, some experts are not aware of renewable energy has stood on a “squeezing out” the location of new nuclear power. Fuluojiate that the nuclear industry in the United States the biggest threat is not renewable energy, but natural gas. “Shale gas has completely changed the U.S. market, causing a sharp decline in natural gas prices,” he said, “In the future years, how to develop in this area, yes enduring, Huan Shi flash in the pan, Jiang Cheng Wei critical issues facing the nuclear Chanye because this is the most important competitors. ”

Because of its intermittent properties for solar can not replace base load nuclear or coal power to say, Duke University researchers to refute the “antique” that when the solar power into a wind, hydro, biomass and natural gas composition when the power grid, which has become a “can control the problem.” However, global engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald of the Department of Energy director Simon Harrison, this point is still crucial. “You have to put the role of two ways the total electricity supply and demand balance to be considered, when solar energy in the sun can play a role, but nuclear power is 24 hours a day. As we consider the use of solar energy instead of nuclear energy before, we must a lot of preparatory work, such as power storage, such as smart grid and so on. ”

However, Harrison also admitted that for investors solar and other renewable energy sources has some outstanding advantages. “The trouble is that nuclear energy is so bumpy twists and turns in the investment process, while renewable energy would be very easy. As the investment is very small, even without the revenue loss is also affordable. Perhaps you would consider investing in the future to build 500 MW renewable energy, its cost of capital is equivalent to a nuclear power plant. But even the preconceived thing, you can do it slowly and gradually, the financing becomes easier. and that renewable energy is not dependent on the supply chain so strong . ”

Olkiluoto fiasco facing the construction of nuclear power once again stressed the enormous financial and practical challenges. However, in July this year, the Finnish Parliament has adopted two new reactors planned.Byrne and his colleagues in North Carolina, energy policy makers can give a good lesson, but they do not intend to listen to play is another matter.

Author Bio: I am a professional editor from China Suppliers, and my work is to promote a free online trade platform. http://www.frbiz.com/ contain a great deal of information about stockings and garters,mosaic candle holders,patio door handle, welcome to visit!

Category: Society
Keywords: stockings and garters,mosaic candle holders,patio door handle,