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Price Summary
The
tracking of online retail module prices continues. This
is now the fifth month in a row where the number of price
increases in the survey has exceeded the number of decreases.
This outcome has been influenced by a significant number
of upward price adjustments from one European retailer,
absent that the number of price increases and decreases
this month would have been similar.
Sales
of modules through online retailers is a relatively small
channel in volume terms, when compared with other channels
to market. Most modules are, infact, sold by module manufacturers
to wholesalers or what is called in the industry, "system
integrators", who package the modules up with other
components to make a "PV system". It is the PV
system that is usually purchased by the end consumer.
The
benefit, though, of the online survey is that is allows
a significant number of prices to be monitored on an "apples
to apples" comparison, in an objective manner. The
survey results are, of course, only as good as the accuracy
of the online data, noting that not all retailers may keep
their pricing fully up to date. Alternatively, the actual
price paid may, on occasion, be different that actually
displayed. In addition, modules are usually purchased in
multiple units, whereas this survey only displays pricing
for a single module. That methodology has been chosen because
it facilitates the "apples to apples" comparison.
Sometimes,
Solarbuzz is contacted to ask why a particular price has
not changed for a long period of time. The answer is always,
that's what the survey data shows! Quite deliberately, Solarbuzz
does not overview or second guess the raw data for the purposes
of the indices on this page.
This
survey has proven to be a useful market for Solarbuzz research
analysis since it started in 2001. However it is never be
utilized in isolation of other research methodologies -
it is just one reference point for what is happening in
the market.
Returning
to this particular month's result, from a survey of 1,534
online retail prices, there were 45 price increases and
21 price decreases. This compares with the September result
where there were 38 price increases compared to 16 price
decreases.
These results left the US index unchanged at $4.85 per watt
while the European index was up 3 euro cents at €4.72 per
watt. The other notable effect during the quarter was a
significant strengthening in the dollar against the Euro,
albeit this effect only indirectly impacts the results.
Lowest Prices ($/Wp)
The
tracking of the lowest price band in the survey is measured
against the number of prices below $4.75 per watt.
As
of October 2008, there are currently 233 solar module prices
below $4.75 per watt (€3.42 per watt) or 15.2% of the total
survey. This compares with 197 prices below $4.75 per watt
in September. The lowest retail price for a multicrystalline
solar module is $4.26 per watt (€2.90 per watt) from a US
retailer. The lowest retail price for a monocrystalline
module is $4.30 per watt (€2.92 per watt), also from a US
retailer.
The
lowest thin film module price is at $3.27 per watt (€2.35
per watt) from a Germany based retailer. As a general rule,
it is typical to expect thin film modules to be at a price
discount to crystalline silicon (for like module powers).
This thin film price is represented by a 60 watt module.
Note once again, that these prices are based upon the purchase
of a single solar module and prices are exclusive of sales
taxes. Information on volume discounts, factory gate and
PV system pricing is available as part of our consultancy
services.
Price Index Context
The module cost represents around 50 - 60% of the total
installed cost of a Solar Energy System. Therefore the solar
module price
is the key element in the total price of an installed solar
system. All prices are exclusive of sales taxes,
which depending on the country or region can add 8-20% to
the prices, with generally highest sales tax rates in Europe.
LEGAL
DISCLAIMER:
SOLARBUZZ DOES NOT AND CANNOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT
THE DATA IN THIS RETAIL PRICE SURVEY ARE ACCURATE OR
COMPLETE. SOLARBUZZ DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE
DATA. THE DATA ON THIS WEB PAGE ARE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY.
YOU RELY ON THE ANALYSIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. SOLARBUZZ
SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY
DECISIONS RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE DATA INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSSES OR DAMAGES RESULTED THEREFROM.
NOTHING IN THE DATA SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS AN ENDORSEMENT,
PROMOTION OR ADVERTISING OF ANY COMPANY.
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