The costs associated with generating solar energy have dropped quite dramatically over the past decade. The average cost of solar cells has dropped from a whopping $76.67/watt in 1977 to as low as $0.26/watt in 2016.
In places like Dubai that enjoy fine sunshine throughout the year, the cost of solar energy from a new 1.2 GW Sweihan solar project has been estimated at $0.023/kWh. Improved technology and increase in solar panel production have largely driven this drop in prices.