Photovoltaic market development in the Netherlands - 2013, the year of price stabilization

Abstract

Quarterly market inventories have been made since fall 2011 for modules, inverters, and systems that are available for purchase in the Netherlands to provide the fast growing Dutch market with proper market information. Since October 2011, the average selling price of modules and inverters decreased with 53.7 and 18.5%, respectively: April 2014 average selling prices are 1.09 !/Wp and 0.37 !/Wp for modules and inverters, respectively. About 40% of the modules originate from China, and are 12% cheaper on average. System prices have seen a temporary increase mid 2013 and now are back on the level of early 2013. Average installation costs amount to 0.34 !/Wp. Grid parity for consumers continues: using an energy yield of 900 kWh/kWp, 25 years system lifetime, 6% discount rate, and 1% operation and maintenance (O&M) cost, a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is calculated for a 2.5 kWp system to be 0.188 !/kWh for a system price of 1.92 !/Wp (including installation).