Log in



Lost your password?
EnerKnol
  • Home
  • About
  • EK Research
  • News
  • Platform
  • Coverage
  • Case Studies
  • EnerKnol Calendar
Log on To EnerKnol Platform Book Demo
  • Home
  • About
  • EK Research
  • News
  • Platform
  • Coverage
  • Case Studies
  • EnerKnol Calendar
Login Book Demo
Solar Panels Ranked Second-Most Installed Technology in 2016 Thanks to Maturing Technology, Economies of Scale

Solar photovoltaic cells were the second-most popular technology installed in 2016, after wind turbines, as average construction costs of the projects have dropped to $2,436 per kilowatt, a 34 percent fall from $3,705 per kilowatt in 2013, according to an Aug. 8 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The agency said that crystalline silicon technology has matured, making it the least expensive and most widely used photovoltaic technology, compared to thin film technology. Onshore wind generator costs decreased slightly to $1,630 per kilowatt in 2016 from the prior year, and costs tend to be lower for larger plants as siting and infrastructure costs are shared across more turbines. Solar photovoltaics, onshore wind, and natural gas added 8 gigawatts, 8.8 gigawatts, and 9.8 gigawatts, respectively, of generation capacity 2016. These technologies accounted for about 93 percent of new capacity in 2016, which saw a 50 percent rise in electric generation investments compared to the prior year.

August 8, 2018
Share
TweetShare on Twitter Share on FacebookShare on Facebook Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Virginia Clears Sustainable Power’s 500-Megawatt Solar Farm Set to Double State’s Solar CapacityNextNext post:U.S. Interior Department Finds First Solar’ $1-Billion California Solar Plant Will Cause Air Impacts

Related Research

EnerKnol Research PU Policy Primer Carbon Markets 2026 03 24 Blog preview
Carbon Pricing March 2026 Update
March 23, 2026
EnerKnol Research PU Policy Primer Carbon Markets 2026 03 24 Blog preview
Policy Primer: Carbon Pricing March 2026 Update
March 23, 2026
data center
U.S. Energy Department Partners with SoftBank, AEP on $33.3 Billion Ohio Power and Data Center Project
March 23, 2026
gas
New York Regulator Adopts Gas Moratorium Framework, Expands Consumer Protections
March 20, 2026
Transmission requirements
New York Regulator Clears Utility Emergency Plans, Tightens Coordination for Major Outages
March 20, 2026
Week Ahead: Indiana Discusses Energy Affordability, Oregon’s Resource Adequacy Program, NY’s Renewable Energy Initiatives
March 20, 2026
California Regulator Clears 175 Megawatts of Energy Storage Contracts for Resource Adequacy, Distribution Deferral
U.S. Energy Department Launches $293 Million AI Funding Program to Accelerate Energy Innovation
March 18, 2026
EnerKnol Research PU Visual Primer Energy Affordability 2026 03 17 Blog preview
States Examine Energy Affordability as Electricity Demand and Infrastructure Needs Grow
March 16, 2026
  • Renewables
    • Biofuels
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Hydropower
    • Nuclear Power
    • Solar Power
    • Wind Power
  • Environmental Markets
    • Carbon Markets
    • Emissions
  • Fossil Fuels
    • Coal Power
    • Natural Gas
    • Oil
  • Power & Utilities
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Energy Storage
    • Retail Power & Gas
    • Smart Grid
    • Wholesale Markets

Subscribe To Our Research Newsletter!


First Name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Phone *
Company *
Job Title *
Select any sectors you're interested in

Submit Form
https://enerknol.com/?p=26819
EnerKnol

The most comprehensive platform for energy and environmental regulatory intelligence, powered by cutting-edge AI and machine learning technology.

sales@enerknol.com
212-537-4797
175 Greenwich St, FL-38, New York, NY 10007

Product

  • Platform Overview
  • EKAI Assistant
  • Coverage Areas

Resources

  • Case Studies
  • API Documentation

Company

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • New York Energy Week

Legal

  • Terms of Service
© 2026 EnerKnol. All rights reserved.
Book a Demo