Updated may 15 2020.
Solar panel price per watt over time.
Solar power technology has been around for a lot longer than many realize.
Cost of solar panels over time.
Average solar panel cost.
Ultimately there are many factors that figure into the price per watt of a solar system but the average cost is typically as low as 2 75 per watt.
Over a decade ago in 2009 the cost of a solar panel installation was 8 50 per watt.
The average cost of solar panels has fallen 65 from 7 34 per watt in 2010 to 2 53 per watt in 2019.
The solar industry today looks very different.
The most recent official data from the doe funded lawrence berkeley labs published in september 2019 found that the median cost of residential solar panels is 3 70 watt.
Solar system costs in 2020 grid tied.
The average cost of installing solar panels is 3 05 per watt.
In addition to solar panel efficiency increasing dramatically solar panel producers have significantly improved their manufacturing processes.
A tale of falling prices.
Therefore if the solar panel output is 250 watts that single panel might cost you 187 50.
Build your array slowly over time buying one solar panel at a time may be a more cost effective decision.
Price you paid for.
National data september 2020.
How has the price and efficiency of solar panels changed over time.
A standard 6 kw residential solar system has dropped from 44 000 down to 15 200 over the past decade not including the federal solar tax credit.
However solarreviews handles more than 1 000 quote requests per day and the current average price we see on our marketplace is 2 53 per watt.
Imported 365w astronergy panels now sell for 70 cents per watt while american manufacturer heliene sells 320w panels at 80 cents per watt.
Standard solar panels cost anywhere from 70 cents to 1 20 per watt depending on their output quality and where they are manufactured.
Cost of solar panels over time.
When you look at more specialized panels that are manufactured in lower quantities the price climbs up above 2 watt.
With solar panels getting cheaper all the time the price gap between imported and american made panels has shrunk considerably.
With energy prices on the rise this may be the perfect time.
Trends have continued until recently with a report from the nrel that showed the price per watt of solar energy dropped by 27 in the first quarter of 2017 alone.
Price per watt w allows for an apples to apples comparison of different solar quotes that may vary in total wattage solar panel brands etc.