Photovoltaic system and components price development in the Netherlands

Abstract

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. The most recent inventory was made in December 2016. After the drop in module price in 2012 the average selling price of modules has been found to stabilize, while inverter prices continue to decrease. PV system prices have decreased considerably by ~20% since 2011, with some fluctuations. December 2016 average selling prices are 1.109 !/Wp and 0.29 !/Wp for modules and inverters, respectively, with 10-15% lower price for modules from China. System prices have seen a temporary increase mid 2013 and 2016. Average installation costs amount to 0.34 !/Wp. Grid parity is obvious: for a residential 2.5 kWp system the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is calculated to be 0.133 !/kWh for a system price of 1.77 !/Wp (including installation), based on an energy yield of 900 kWh/kWp, 25 years system lifetime, 3% discount rate, and 1% operation and maintenance (O&M) cost.