Energy at a Glance: Solar Power Reliability and Costs

Published November 30, 2022

Quick Bullets:

Solar energy is generated when sunlight strikes photovoltaic panels, generating electricity.

Solar energy made up 5 percent of total electricity generation in the United States at its early summertime peak in 2022.

In 2019, the average wholesale electricity price of solar was on average $36 per megawatt-hour.

Solar does not work at night, performs poorly in cloudy conditions and during winter months, and struggles in high temperatures.  

For the full report, see the PDF.