According to energy consultants, New Energy Finance, PV module prices across the board have continued a downward trend, although the rate of decline is levelling off. Thin-film remains the low-cost leader in solar with projects as cheap as $3/W, making thin-film projects 25% less expensive than crystalline silicon systems on a levelised basis. PV projects with tracking systems have seen the least reduction in cost due to the fact that costs for single- and double-axis trackers have remained high compared to pane prices.
“So far this year, the steady decline in the cost of equipment in sectors like solar and wind has largely been offset by the increasing costs of financing," said Michael Liebreich, chairman and CEO of New Energy Finance. "By the end of the year, however, as capital markets loosen up and equipment prices continue their decline, we will se levelised costs decline, finishing the year 10% below the end of last year across the board and far more than that in solar."
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