These solar panels are made with many of the same technologies used to make computer chips (or wafers) and much of the rapid cost reduction was possible because

These solar panels are made with many of the same technologies used to make computer chips (or wafers) and much of the rapid cost reduction was possible because the PV industry benefited from the chip producer's R&D efforts without incurring the cost. This effect makes it reasonable to expect similar improvements over the next ten years - as long as there is still a market to justify the costs of transferring the learnings from the wafer fabs to the PV panel fabs. Natural Gas prices took a dip because the energy demand curve took a dip in 2009 and most importantly, a relatively new source of of Natural Gas has been developed in North America, which had previously been a major importer. (http://ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/lng.asp http://ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/lng.asp). Most new power plants in North America and Europe are Combined Cycle Gas Turbines as the relatively low up-front investment, flexibility and (currently)low fuel costs make them the best solution. This should prevent Gas prices from dropping much further. When/if the economy picks back up, the increased demand should further solidify the price of gas. Of course, if the energy supplied by wind and PV grows faster than the overall demand, then this will reduce the demand for Gas, thus keeping prices low.