Energy Transition

Explained: why renewables became so cheap so fast

Workers install a solar panel in Jiuquan, Gansu province, July 14, 2013. China aims to more than quadruple solar power generating capacity to 35 gigawatts by 2015 in an apparent bid to ease a massive glut in the domestic solar panel industry. Picture taken July 14, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY) CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA - GM1E97H0X0A01

Falling renewable energy costs is good news for our planet. Image: REUTERS/Stringer

Max Roser
Programme Director, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
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Energy Transition

Have you read?
chart showing how safe each form of energy is
Fossil fuels come with a major detriment to our health. Image: Our World in Data
this chart shows how the price of new energy from power plants has change between 2009 and 2019
The price of electricity from new power plants. Image: Our World in Data
the cost of different energy sources between 2009 and 2019
The price of renewable energy has fallen dramatically. Image: Our World in Data
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The product cycle for renewable energy.
The product cycle for renewable energy. Image: Our World in Data
the price of solar molecules per energy produced
Solar molecules has fallen by 99.6% since 1976. Image: Our World in Data
the price of different energy forms per megawatt
Increased capacity has made renewables cheaper. Image: Our World in Data
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Energy TransitionClimate ChangeESG
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