As of 2025, prices range from $0. 86 per watt-hour (Wh) for utility-scale projects, while residential systems hover around $1,000–$1,500 per kWh. But wait—why the wild variation? Let's dive deeper. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U. solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to develop cost benchmarks. These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs. The Enphase System Estimator is a tool to get a preliminary estimate of the size, cost and savings of your solar and battery system. All calculations are an estimate based on the power the solar panels are expected to generate, battery capacity, and your average electricity usage last year. Factors influencing the price include system size, energy. If you're considering a photovoltaic energy storage station, you're probably wondering: “What's the actual cost, and is it worth the investment?” Let's cut through the jargon and unpack this like a weekend suitcase.
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What are solar energy cost benchmarks?
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.
How does Seto calculate PV system cost?
Unlike most PV cost studies that report values solely in dollars per watt, SETO's PV system cost benchmark reports values using intrinsic units for each component. For example, the cost of a mounting structure is given in dollars per square meter of modules supported by that structure.
The representative residential PV system (RPV) for 2024 has a rating of 8 kW dc (the sum of the system's module ratings). Each module has an area (with frame) of 1.9 m 2 and a rated power of 400 watts, corresponding to an efficiency of 21.1%.
The solar panel and storage sizing calculator allows you to input information about your lifestyle to help you decide on your solar panel and solar storage (batteries) requirements.