With oil prices firmly above 100 dollars, increasing worries about future supply-demand challenges, the volatile political situation in the Middle East and recent concerns over nuclear power after Fukushima, the debate on energy security of supply and future energy mix is more actual than ever. Renewable energies are the obvious candidates to safeguard Europe’s energy security in the long-term.Have recent developments in the solar photovoltaic industry brought the industry closer to “grid parity”, the point at which solar becomes equal to or cheaper than conventional sources such as gas or coal? How expensive is photovoltaic really compared to other sources? Is there a level-playing field between the renewable energy sources and the fossil fuel incumbents? Can governments keep up supporting renewable energy in the current economic times? For how long will solar still need this government support?