Solar Power Prices in India Could Be Cheaper Than Coal Within Five Years

10 PERCENT CHEAPER

KPMG, an Indian business advisory company, reported that the cost of solar power could be approximately 10 percent cheaper than that of coal five years from now.

In the report titled “The Rising Sun: Disruption of the Horizon,” the authors note that the price of solar power has declined more than that what was expected by many analysts since January this year (2015). KPMG said that, while the current price of solar doesn’t include grid integration costs, even after taking them into account, solar would still be competitive with coal.

As previously mentioned, they now predict that, by the end of the decade, the price of solar power could be approximately 10 percent less than that of coal.

By 2020, KPMG forecasts a solar generation price of INR 4.2/kWh and by 2025 it would be INR 3.59 kWh by 2025. Wind and solar generation could constitute up to 20 percent of India’s energy supply mix by 2025. The key potential factor in solar power pricing in India could be rooftop solar, especially if it is supported by the continuing evolution of storage technologies. KPMG predicts that rooftop solar systems could provide 10 GW within 5 years and 49 GW within 10 years, and could reduce about 275 million tons of carbon emissions in 2025.

IMPACT ON COAL INDUSTRY

Aside from the price forecasts, the KPMG report emphasized the need for stakeholders to understand the possible impact of falling solar prices on the coal industry. Though the Indian Government is focused on reducing carbon emissions by as much as 35 percent for the next ten years, KPMG suggested that the government prepare for the shift to green energy by bolstering planning policy, institutions, resources, and protocols.

They argue that appropriate incentives for investment in the integration of solar into India's energy grid and balancing services should be implemented early.

Since solar power in India would be at a sufficient scale from 2022, the coal sector would certainly be affected. To meet that challenge, the coal sector should focus on cost efficiency and flexibility, according to KPMG. Imported coal prices could be influenced by factors such as the slowing growth in China, energy efficiency, and a fall in the commodities cycle.

The report recommended that Coal India Limited conduct a study of long run costs and introduce flexibility to its operations so it can adjust to different demand and price scenarios as they arise.

In any case, it seems feasible that we will soon be moving away from coal at a much quicker pace. And this is a very good thing.