2018 Solar Technology Status, Cost and Performance

This report presents updated Q3 2018 cost and performance analyses for several solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, including crystalline silicon and thin film modules and fixed-tilt and single axis tracking mounting systems. The performance of each technology is assessed for seven locations that vary in solar resource availability and weather conditions. Capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost estimates are broken down to show key equipment, labor, balance of plant (BOP), and soft cost components, and installed costs are adjusted by location to reflect the effect of differences in labor costs, productivity rates, and other regional inputs. From these results, the nominal-dollar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for each technology in each location is calculated.

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