Solar Photovoltaic System Cost Benchmarks
The U.S. Department of Energy''s solar office and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U.S. solar photovoltaic systems to develop cost benchmarks to measure progress
Residential solar costs remain higher due to smaller scale and soft costs, typically ranging from $117-282 per MWh. However, residential installations benefit from avoided retail electricity rates, improving their economic proposition for homeowners. Key factors influencing solar costs include:
The cost of commercial solar panels is typically measured in dollars per watt. In 2025, the average cost for commercial solar installations is approximately $1.46 per watt DC. This reduction in cost is attributed to advancements in technology and increased market competition.
These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs and guide SETO research and development programs. Read more to find out how these cost benchmarks are modeled and download the data and cost modeling program below.
Professional system inspections may cost between $200 and $600 annually, depending on the system's complexity. Inverters, which convert solar energy into usable electricity, generally need replacement every 10–15 years.
The U.S. Department of Energy''s solar office and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U.S. solar photovoltaic systems to develop cost benchmarks to measure progress
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