Everything Energy The future of solar power
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Nov 27, 2025 Brent Wanner, Head of the IEA’s Power Supply Unit, and Anthony Vautrin, an energy modeller specializing in electricity demand projections, dive into the future of solar power. They discuss how solar has dramatically improved in cost and efficiency since 2010, making it the cheapest electricity source. The duo highlights the potential for solar to meet growing electricity demands in sunny regions, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. They also address challenges like grid modernization and the need for diverse energy sources to ensure stable, secure electricity systems.
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Solar's Rapid Cost And Deployment Shift
- Solar PV costs fell ~90% since 2010 and electricity from solar is now 60 times higher than in 2010.
- Brent Wanner says solar is now deployed 30 times more per year and is historically cheap at under $50/MWh.
Solar Fits Every Scale And Context
- Solar PV scales from tiny off-grid kits to gigawatt utility farms and fits diverse uses worldwide.
- Brent Wanner highlights solar's role from balcony panels to first-time electrification in remote African communities.
Cheap Generation, But Value Varies By Time
- Levelized cost measures show solar LCOE below $50/MWh, making it one of the cheapest generation options.
- Brent Wanner cautions value and system costs matter because solar's daytime-only profile affects competitiveness.
