PV 2012

...and Cost!
Compare all the stats you want: the majority of consumer decisions are made first and foremost on price, and module prices have decreased for the last several years. Global fluctuations in demand have and will likely continue to occurentire nations have implemented, adjusted, and/or repealed various incentives for grid-connected PV systems. Furthermore, it takes time for manufacturers to scale up to meet demand. Combine these two factors, and the result is a market where supply can, and often does, exceed demand. Solarbuzz is a company that tracks PV industry price trends (see www.solarbuzz.com). Their retail module price index shows modules at an all-time low of $2.65 per W as of September 2011, around half of what modules cost at the start of 2002. These are retail prices, with distribution and installer markups included, and do not take bulk pricing into consideration. Many modules are available for less than $2 per W, with some below $1.50 per W. Many utilities and states are reducing rebates for PV systems. Fortunately, this corresponds with all-time-low module prices, meaning system costs are decreasing ($ per installed watt) as well. As in any market, prices will continue to fluctuate based on supply, demand, and government support of the industry. When thinking about purchasing cheap modules, realize that you might get what you pay for. Quality matters, and often it becomes a factor over time. Consider how long your module manufacturer has been around. Reputation must be earned, and word of mouth has impact. Module prices arent part of this list because, like any commodity, price isnt fixed, but rather depends on who you know, how many you buy, and what overall manufacturing price trends are.

Courtesy Silicon Energy

Silicon Energys power warranty is 15 years at 90% of rated output, and 30 years at 80%.

Warranty

Cost per Watt

Every PV module carries two distinct types of warrantya materials (or workmanship) warranty and a power warranty. The materials warranty covers the modules parts and workmanship. It is critical to read the fine print, but a materials/workmanship guarantee generally provides service or replacement of defective modules by the manufacturer. Some of the limitations are based on the parts that module manufacturers use to assemble modules, such as quickconnects and sealed junction boxes, which have their own warranties from their own manufacturers. Of the more than 830 modules on the list, 500 carry at least a five-year materials/workmanship warranty and about 250 are at 10 years. A modules power warranty guarantees that the module will produce a certain percent of its rated STC power (Pmp, minus any power tolerance) for a given period of time. A common warranty is 90% of rated power for up to 10 years and 80% for up to 25 years. Silicon Energy and MAGE Solar offer 30-year, 80% rated-power warrantiestops on the list. (Silicon Energy also offers a best-of-list 15-year, 90% rated-power warranty.) All of the modules that have 10-year materials warranties have at least 25-year, 80% rated-power warranties.

Module Price Index

5.50 5.00 4.50 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 United States ($) Europe ()
Data Courtesy Solarbuzz

Typical Power Warranties

100% STC Rating (including tolerance)

Percent of Rated Watts

95% 90% 90% for 10 yrs. 85% 80% 80% for 25 yrs. 75% 70% 80% for 25 yrs. Linear (0.8% per year)

Module prices arent part of this list because, like any commodity, price isnt fixed, but rather depends on who you know, how many you buy, and what overall manufacturing price trends are.
25 30

10

15

20

Warranty Period (years)

*Blue line is worst case for a stepped power warranty

52

home power 146 december 2011 & january 2012