Solar Costs Plummet as Wind and EV Adoption Advance
A roundup reports that solar panel prices have fallen to about 12 cents per watt, down from $5–$6 per watt 26 years ago. It also notes China’s large fleet of agricultural spray drones, a new floating offshore wind platform for 18-MW turbines, and forecasts that EVs could reach 38% of U.S. new vehicle sales by 2030. The European Commission is said to maintain its ban on new Arctic oil and gas drilling despite Norwegian pressure.
Solar module prices have dropped dramatically: from roughly $5–$6 per watt 26 years ago to about 12¢ per watt today, according to energy researcher Dave Jones of Ember. He described that level as extremely low relative to alternatives. Meanwhile, China began 2026 with some 309,000 agricultural spray drones, which carried out about 203 million hectare-treatments in 2025.
Gazelle Wind Power has tested a floating offshore wind platform designed for turbines above 18 MW in harsh conditions, developed with a major Asian utility. Separately, U.S. EV sales are projected to reach 38% of new vehicles by 2030, up from 8% in 2025, while the European Commission is keeping its ban on new Arctic oil and gas drilling despite Norwegian pressure.
Cheaper solar and floating wind could lower power costs and expand clean-energy access, affecting households, utilities, and installers. Rising EV adoption may reshape automaking, charging networks, and fuel demand, while drone use may change farm labor and input costs. The Arctic drilling ban may keep some fossil-fuel reserves off-limits, affecting energy firms and Norway’s plans, though broader climate and market effects remain uncertain. These shifts may create opportunities and disruptions across regions and industries.