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- 1. Fetch datapackage.json to inspect schema and resources
- 2. Download data resources listed in datapackage.json
- 3. Read README.md for full context
Data Views
Solar PV and Wind Cost Decline (2008–2023)
LCOE Midpoint by Technology Over Time
Data Files
Explore with AIlcoe
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| year | integer | Year the Lazard report was published (and for which costs are estimated) |
| version | number | Lazard LCOE report version number (e.g., 1.0, 10.0, 16.0) |
| technology_id | string | Machine-readable technology identifier (e.g., 'solar-pv-utility', 'wind-onshore') |
| technology | string | Human-readable technology name |
| lcoe_low | number | Low end of unsubsidized LCOE range, in nominal USD per MWh |
| lcoe_high | number | High end of unsubsidized LCOE range, in nominal USD per MWh |
Download
Download CSVAbout
- Unsubsidized levelized cost of energy ($/MWh, nominal) for seven generation technologies, reported annually from Lazard LCOE v1.0 (2008) through v17.0 (2023). Each row gives the low and high range published in that year's report.
- Last updated
- 16 March 2026
- Total rows
- ...
- Format
- CSV
- File size
- 4.05 kB
About this dataset
Lazard Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
Annual benchmark of the unsubsidized levelized cost of energy ($/MWh) for utility-scale generation technologies. Published by Lazard since 2008.
Data
data/lcoe.csv — LCOE low/high ranges per technology per year, from Lazard LCOE v1.0 (2008) through v17.0 (2023).
Technologies covered:
| ID | Name | First reported |
|---|---|---|
solar-pv-utility | Utility-Scale Solar PV | 2008 |
wind-onshore | Onshore Wind | 2008 |
wind-offshore | Offshore Wind | 2015 |
gas-ccgt | Gas Combined Cycle | 2008 |
gas-peaker | Gas Peaker | 2015 |
coal | Coal | 2008 |
nuclear | Nuclear | 2008 |
Units: Nominal USD per MWh (unsubsidized, i.e. pre-subsidy)
Key Finding
Solar PV costs fell ~93% from 2008 to 2023 (midpoint: ~$398/MWh → ~$60/MWh). Onshore wind fell ~60% over the same period. By 2020, both were cheaper than new-build coal or nuclear across nearly all scenarios.
Notable exception: the 2022 report (v16.0) showed solar costs widening to $24–$96/MWh due to supply chain inflation after a decade of steady decline.
Source
Lazard's Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis, Versions 1.0–17.0 (2008–2023): https://www.lazard.com/research-insights/lazards-levelized-cost-of-energyplus/
Data extracted from the annual PDF reports. Values represent the headline unsubsidized LCOE ranges for new-build projects in the US, reflecting typical financing, capacity factors, and fuel costs at time of publication.
Note: Lazard also publishes a separate Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS) analysis for battery storage — not included here.
License
Data extracted from publicly available Lazard PDF reports. Released as public domain (ODC-PDDL).