Costs

The photovoltaic installations require an important initial investment, even if, afterwards, their maintenance costs are very low.
Each application must be evaluated in its unique context, taking into account in particular the electrical energy produced, the installation duration, the incentives available, the alternative costs, etc.

The cost of a photovoltaic system is composed of the following cost parts:
Modules
This cost influences the most the total cost of the system. The cost of each module is reduced in proportion to the installed power approximately 40-60% of the plant cost.

Inverter
The cost of this component is reduced in proportion to the installed power.

Transport and installation
The standardization of the system allows to moderately reduce costs, especially in the case of large systems. In this category are considered also the costs associated with construction site safety.

Fixing system
An integrated system may be more expensive compared to an applied system or a ground system, but at the same time an integrated plant allows to use less overall material.

Wiring
Proper design of the electrical connection between the modules allows the optimization of the costs and the reduction of the production losses.

Design
The greater the complexity of the system, the more the time required for its proper design. Proper planning ensures the quality of the system over the years. Included here are also the costs of bureaucracy and electrical grid connection matters.

Thanks to the remarkable development of the market, like the increase of the production, prices are falling slowly but steadily.
The average cost per kWp is inversely proportional to the plant size: the larger the plant, the lower the costs as a percentage of design and installation.

Allocation of the average costs of a PV system with crystalline silicon modules (left) and thin film (right)