Is solar now as cheap as fossil fuels?

Hey permies folks, I just saw this new report claiming solar is now as cheap or cheaper than fossil fuel.



I know there are plenty of folks a lot more tapped into the alt energy scene here than I am, so wanted to see if there is reliable confirmation of this being true?

If it is true it is a big and important step forward. The cost of fossil fuel being cheaper has been one of the big hurdles for alt energy, so if one of the big alt energies is no as cheap or cheaper it could really help push fossil fuel out where it can be replaced easily.

It is my understanding that solar/hydro/wind electric (and solar thermal) has always been cheaper than fuels.

Environmental costs cannot be recovered easily, if at all in our lifetimes and probably many lifetimes.

Subsidies support fueled power its distribution and maintenance to the hilt, or it could not stand on its own at prices that make it attractive (artificially) now and for decades gone by.

Fuels have their place, high energy density to weight ratio, available on demand. A chainsaw or backup generator and transportation are good examples, as are heaters.

People get hung up sometimes on wheather solar can supply ALL power ALL the time and in many homes and many commercial environments it cannot or cannot at the same budget as artificially cheap fuel and distribution.

And... utility power is far from being able to supply all power, all the time, as evidenced by the popularity and number of backup generators and battery inverter systems being installed.

What is lost is the fact that the solar offset can be quite high and a system can rely on fuel/utility power as a BACKUP or supplement, this goes double for solar thermal heating of space or water in the north.

actually you can even get solar for free in the uk http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/solar-panels/article/how-to-buy-solar-panels/free-solar-panels

That's great news in the video's message.  Given the turn of U.S. federal political events this past fall, I'd like to see the info spread very quickly.  (Just a little perspective from "a northern neighbour".)