Just how long will it take for the US to reach solar grid parity? According to a new animated map, several major metropolitan areas are estimated to be able to hit that mark within the next few years.
So, what does solar grid parity mean? Basically, when solar-generated electricity becomes cheaper than what you’re buying from the grid. The local price for solar becomes much more competitive in savings and is more accepted as an alternative form of energy by more Americans. In fact, it is estimated that in the US within only 7 years, 1 in 6 people living in major metropolitan areas will be able to enjoy substantial savings by switching to solar, even without federal, state, or local incentives.
Measuring solar grid parity can be a little tricky since prices for utility-provided electricity vary widely throughout the US, as seen by the map below (click to enlarge). And solar power is priced in dollars per Watt as opposed to grid electricity, which is priced at dollars per kWh.
And of course, everyone’s got an opinion about exactly when that mark will be hit, or if it already has been. In fact, according to The Motley Fool we’ve already got solar grid parity in the US, as shown by recent falling stock prices and bankruptcies. And then the big oil lobbyists will tell you that it’ll never happen.
If you’ve already got solar power installed on your home, you know firsthand what the savings are. Do your part by sharing your experience with your friends and family. It’ll take all of us working together to make solar grid parity a reality, sooner rather than later.
