Fact-check: “Solar power is now cheaper than coal in most countries”
Verdict: Mostly True (82% confidence)
The claim is well-supported on a new-build LCOE basis. The IEA stated as far back as 2020 that solar PV is 'consistently cheaper than new coal- or gas-fired power plants in most countries,' and IRENA's July 2025 report on 2024 costs shows global average utility-scale solar LCOE at $0.043/kWh versus coal at $0.073/kWh — a 41% gap. The minor qualification is that 'cheaper' here means the cost to build and operate a new plant (LCOE), not full system-level cost including grid integration, backup ca…
This fact-check was conducted by SpinkillerAI, a non-partisan AI-powered accountability platform.
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