THE COST AND RATINGS OF SOLAR ELECTRIC PANELS

HOW MUCH DO SOLAR MODULES COST

Photovoltaic panels (also called modules) account for about 30-35% of the total cost of an installed home solar electric system.

A typical PV module for residential applications is rated between 50 and 300 watts (peak) and measures about 5.5 feet by 3 feet. Its price is often stated in terms of dollars per watt. Most manufacturers of solar panels sell them to wholesalers or distributors, who then resell to retailers or dealers. So, it is difficult to compare the real manufacturing costs. As for the retail cost of PV panels, in 2012 its average amount in US was about $2/watt peak. You may find some thin-film panels for sale for as low as $0.84/W. However, for a homeowner who wants to take an advantage of various federal, state and utility incentives, it is difficult to get the lowest cost panels. The problem is that these incentives are normally offered for the complete systems rather than the panels. In many cases to take an advantage of the incentives you need to install an approved system and use a certified installer who carries only some specific modules.

This graph represents average prices of residential solar panels.

RATINGS AND OVERVIEW

The chart below compares nameplate characteristics of some of the PV modules from various manufacturers. The modules usually come with 20-25 years of so-called power output warranty that guarantees 80% of the minimal rated power during this period of time. Note that the retailers often give prices in pallet quantity (in bulk). Pallet quantity varies by manufacturer and may range from 2 to 60, which makes the price comparison difficult. Consumers sometimes are asking about the price per square foot. This is not a very useful criterion since the models with low cell efficiency may cost less per square foot, but you would need to install more modules to get the desired wattage. You really want to compare dollars per watt.

MODEL	MANUFAC- TURER	PEAK POWER (watts)	Voc	Isc	Vmp	Imp	Size mm	WATT per square meter	WHT lbs	Eff.	TECHNOLOGY
SPR-315E- WHT-D	Sunpower	315	64.6	6.14	54.7	5.76	1559 x1046	193	41	19.3%	Mono- crystalline
HIT Power 215N	Sanyo	215	51.6	5.61	42.0	5.13	1580 x798	170	35.3	17.1%	Hybrid Amorphous/ crystalline
YL 280 P-35b	Yingli Solar	280	44.6	8.04	35.3	7.65	1970 x990	143.6	57.3	14.4%	Poly- crystalline Si
GEPVp-205-M	GE Energy	205	33	8.2	27.2	7.6	1485 x981	140	39	-	Poly- crystalline Si
BP SX3190	BP Solar	190	30.7	8.6	24.4	7.96	1680 x837	135	34	-	Silicon nitride multi- crystalline
Sharp NT-175UC1	Sharp	175	44.4	5.4	35.4	4.95	1575 x826	134	35.3	-	-
REC220AE	REC Solar	220	36.3	8.3	28.4	7.8	1665 x991	133.3	48.5	13.3%	Multi- crystalline Si
PV-UD180MF5	Mitsubishi	180	30.4	8.03	24.2	7.45	1658 x834	130	37	13.0%	Poly- crystalline Si
ES-A-205	Evergreen Solar	205	23.1	12.2	18.7	11.23	1651 x952	104	41	13.1%	Poly- crystalline Si
FS-277	First Solar	75	90.5	1.22	69.9	1.11	1200 x600	75	26.45	-	Thin film CdS/CdT
EPV-54	EPV Solar	54	60	1.49	45.4	1.19	1321 x711	57.5	32	-	Thin film a-Si

Notes: In this table: Voc- open circuit voltage, Isc- short circuit current, Vmp and Imp- voltage and current at maximum power point. For explanation of these and other characteristics of PV modules see our guide to PV panels for homes.

References and additional information:
The installed cost of solar power systems in the U.S. in 2011