Race to the future : Grid Parity
From California comes this
California Energy Commission: COMPARATIVE COSTS OF CALIFORNIA CENTRAL STATION ELECTRICITY GENERATION
http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009publications/CEC-200-2009-017/CEC-200-2009-017-SF.PDF
The report shows - among many other things - that in 2018, a 960 MW Perssurized Water Reactor would generate electricity at $0.17/kWh - $0.34/kWh (see page 20; they calculated with a Westinghouse AP1000, which Westinghouse calls "the most economical NPP available in the worldwide commercial marketplace").
Meanwhile, GE's global research director (remember, they also make nuclear reactors) suggests that the price of Solar is going to be down below $0.15/kWh in the near future. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-26/solar-may-be-cheaper-than-fossil-power-in-five-years-ge-says.html
and a German study (you'll have to take my word on this one) has put the cost of adequately insuring a nuclear powerplant at between $0.17 and $2.34 /kWh, the variation is I think down to factors like whether or not you're in an earthquake zone... So, if nuclear plants were forced to insure themselves in the public marketplace they'd already be at least twice as expensive as solar power...
California Energy Commission: COMPARATIVE COSTS OF CALIFORNIA CENTRAL STATION ELECTRICITY GENERATION
http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009publications/CEC-200-2009-017/CEC-200-2009-017-SF.PDF
The report shows - among many other things - that in 2018, a 960 MW Perssurized Water Reactor would generate electricity at $0.17/kWh - $0.34/kWh (see page 20; they calculated with a Westinghouse AP1000, which Westinghouse calls "the most economical NPP available in the worldwide commercial marketplace").
Meanwhile, GE's global research director (remember, they also make nuclear reactors) suggests that the price of Solar is going to be down below $0.15/kWh in the near future. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-26/solar-may-be-cheaper-than-fossil-power-in-five-years-ge-says.html
and a German study (you'll have to take my word on this one) has put the cost of adequately insuring a nuclear powerplant at between $0.17 and $2.34 /kWh, the variation is I think down to factors like whether or not you're in an earthquake zone... So, if nuclear plants were forced to insure themselves in the public marketplace they'd already be at least twice as expensive as solar power...