Levelling-up Solar Power

In recent years, solar power has become a key part of the transition to a green economy, and to decarbonising the energy that we each rely on every day. The rate of installation of solar power increases year-on-year, outstripping almost all predictions along the way, and the price per GW of solar power production has dropped precipitously. For example, the cost per watt produced by installing solar panels has dropped by well over 90% in the last decade, and it is expected that the price of solar power will continue to reduce as greater and greater capacity comes online.¹

At this point, many complain that solar panels inevitably have costs associated with them. They may be installed in large areas of farmland, with concerns being raised about the knock-on effects on agricultural production.² Others will point out that the solar panels themselves require the use of rare earth minerals, elements that are difficult and frequently toxic to produce, and that there are