Urban PV is Cost-Effective Alternative to Peaking Gas-Fired Power - Clean Coalition
Aerial view of a coastal nuclear power plant next to a highway and beach, with expansive ocean and shoreline visible.

Urban PV is Cost-Effective Alternative to Peaking Gas-Fired Power

A landmark decision from the California Energy Commission.


On June 17, 2009 the California Energy Commission denied an application for a peaking natural gas-fired power plant in part because rooftop solar PV could potentially achieve the same objectives for comparable cost. In a landmark decision, the CEC said:

“There is little difference between the COE of a 150-megawatt thin-film PV…and 100 megawattsof state-of-the-art gas turbine capacity at the same conditions. This is without considering the…renewable energy credits…, the elimination of air emissions, or the lack of dependence on a secure supply of natural gas.”