Residential solar prices in 2014-2015 averaged between $3 and $4 per
watt, the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) said in its latest
report on solar PV system prices. The report, which was based on a state-level analysis of close to
11,000 solar price quotes, also found that prices for nonresidential and
utility-scale projects averaged between $2-$3 per watt.
SEPA said on Dec. 17 that the report is part of a new initiative to
examine regional pricing trends for PV solar at more detailed levels
than have previously been available to market stakeholders. The data for
the study were provided by two online platforms, EnergySage and
Mercatus, and include price quotes for residential, commercial and
utility-scale projects collected in 25 states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico from January 2014 to July 2015.
“We filtered the data we received through a range of variables, from
the effect of state incentives and competitive price visibility to
average electricity prices, and transportation and labor costs,” Erika
Myers, senior manager of research at SEPA, said in a statement. “But no
one factor explains the price quote variations we are seeing both within
and across regions.”
According to the report, the study of residential pricing had
outliers in certain states and regions driven by local market dynamics.
In Florida, for example, inexpensive electricity and lack of solar
incentives have generally kept prices low, with an average price of
$2.51 per watt, the report said. In addition, Washington state has a
solar power performance payment incentive, which is significantly higher
for projects using panels manufactured in the state. The resulting
average price of $4.43 per watt was the highest average price in the
sample data.
“With SEPA’s newly expanded mission, encompassing large-scale solar
as well as demand response and other distributed energy technologies, we
are also expanding our research to provide more detailed and
comprehensive market insights,” Tanuj Deora, executive vice president
and chief strategy officer of SEPA, said. “This information will be
critical as the transformation of the U.S. energy market unfolds state
by state – at different speeds and with different policies – across the
country.”
SEPA in early November merged
with the Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid. The newly
formed organization is expanding SEPA’s focus from utility integration
of only large-scale and distributed solar to a broader view that
includes a suite of distributed energy resources.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/residential-solar-prices-averaged-3-4-per-watt-in-2014-2015-sepa-says.html
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