Three large investment banks have recently published very optimistic research about solar panels in a world without subsidy. Research from UBS, Deutsche Bank and Macquarie all focus on a world of self-generation with solar panels and battery back-up systems, and their reports contain some great quotes and images:

UBS: “The unsubsidised solar revolution”

“We are at the beginning of a new era in power markets”

”Purely based on economics, we believe almost every family home and every commercial rooftop in Germany, Italy and Spain should be equipped with a solar system by the end of this decade.”

“The profit pool of the conventional generators (utility companies) will shrink by around 50 per cent.”

Macquarie: “rooftop solar juggernaut is unstoppable”

“The plunge in costs for rooftop solar PV has fallen to such an extent that its continued rapid deployment may be unstoppable”

“Many existing fossil fuel generators (utility companies) in Germany are losing money and could go out of business.”

Deutsche Bank: “sustainable” global solar market in 2014

“We see the sector transitioning from subsidised to sustainable markets in 2014.”

“Several leading manufacturers will actually start producing, or at least talking about, profits in the second half of the year.”