The effect of technological innovations on the cost of the photovoltaic electricity

The cost of photovoltaic systems has strongly decreased in the past years and, correspondingly, also the cost of this form of electric energy is now near the parity in many countries. This paper examines the new trends of technological development of the PV module in comparison with the classical silicon based technology in terms of their possible impact on the Levelized Cost of Photovoltaic Energy. Surprisingly enough it is found that R&D mainly focused at decreasing installation costs will play a major role in the next years to help a wider diffusion of the PV plants.