Mapping Solar Grid Parity

John Farrell
March 06, 2012 | 4 Comments

Within a decade, 100 million Americans could get cheaper electricity from rooftop solar – without subsidies – than is provided by their utility. This finding from a new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance — Rooftop Revolution: Changing Everything with Cost-Effective Local Solar — inspired our popular animated map, showing when major metropolitan areas reached this crucial solar crossroads.

The only complaint was, “what about the 30% federal tax credit?” I think the former argument — without subsidies — is stronger, but for those who really wanted to see the solar future based on the existing tax incentive (and assuming it is extended, as is, after 2016), this map’s for you (click here or on the map to the animated version):

You can also view the original solar grid parity map, or look at a still image (also from 2024):

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4 Comments

Phil Manke
March 19, 2012

Thomas M
March 9, 2012

Don't forget the policies instilled to get the rebates cost money. SRCC programs cost money. Monitoring and evaluation schemes cost money. Subsidy programs cost money. Perhaps if we remove all the gov. policy regarding solar, products would become cheaper and more readily available for all to install. Most other products are produced and sold without such involvement, so why not solar? Good thing we don't have a clothing policy of we would all be wearing the same thing....

William Feldmann
March 8, 2012

Unfortunately, I cannot have faith in the accuracy of this map, simply because the state of Washington is on it.Every other report I have seen shows that the inexpensive hydro electric rate in the state of Washington makes it the very last State in the Union that will transition.

randy velker
March 8, 2012

The map assumes energy price increases of only 2% per year and solar price decreases of only 7% per year. Solar dropped 25% this past year, and energy prices will certainly go up faster than 2%. Nobody would squawk at using 5% or 7%.

I understand the authors are trying to be "conservative", but the real picture is better than this graphic.

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John Farrell

John Farrell directs the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at ILSR and he focuses on energy policy developments that best expand the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. His latest paper,...