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An Analysis of Residential PV System Price Differences Between the United States and Germany

Publication Type

Conference Paper

Date Published

06/2013

Authors

Seel, Joachim, Galen L. Barbose, Ryan H. Wiser

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.2013.6745193

Abstract

Residential photovoltaic (PV) systems are significantly more expensive in the United States than in Germany ($5.18/W vs. $2.59/W in 2012). These price discrepancies stem from differences in “soft costs” between the two countries. A survey of German PV installers was deployed to collect granular data on PV soft costs in Germany, and the results are compared to those of a similar survey of US PV installers. Non-module hardware costs and all analyzed soft costs are lower in Germany, especially for customer acquisition, installation labor and profit/overhead costs, but also for expenses related to permitting, interconnection and inspection procedures.

Journal

39th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

Year of Publication

2013

Notes

These findings were based on an LBNL report entitled Why Are Residential PV Prices in Germany So Much Lower Than in the United States? A Scoping Analysis. To see the full report, click here.

Organization

Energy Markets and Policy Department, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division

Research Areas

Renewable Energy, Electricity Markets and Policy, Market Tracking and Analysis