Drawing on case studies from the US, Japan, German and China, this book provides a truly comprehensive and global explanation for how solar has become inexpensive and also offers important policy recommendations for accelerated innovation. "The only way to save our planet and protect the climate is a global 100% renewable energy system, and solar energy will be the key component.?In this book, Gregory F. Nemet traces the path of solar PV from its beginnings with impressive detail and insight to show that effective climate protection is within reach." -- Hans-Josef Fell, Energy Watch Group, Germany "How Solar Energy Became Cheap provides a comprehensive overview of the long pathway that PV took from a scientific idea to the world's most inexpensive form of electricity. It shows the central role China has played as well as the international linkages that have been so crucial, and it provides much needed guidance for how we can use the lessons of solar to accelerate innovation in the other climate technologies we will need." -- Peng Zhou, China University of Petroleum, China "Gregory F. Nemet has written a comprehensive and engaging treatise answering a crucial question-how did solar energy get so cheap? For decades, solar energy was a fringe energy source, but a confluence of public policies and private entrepreneurship in a few pioneer countries led solar to become the cheapest, fastest-growing energy source on Earth.Nemet's book provides a theoretically coherent explanation for this phenomenon and distils lessons that other technologies essential for combating climate change will need to follow. The book is peppered with fascinating anecdotes and backed by an impressive breadth of original research." - Varun Sivaram, Chief Technology Officer, ReNew Power, India