The cost of perovskite solar panels generally compares favorably to traditional silicon-based solar panels, with promising potential for even lower costs in the future.
Current Cost Comparison
- Perovskite solar cells currently have manufacturing costs roughly parallel to the lowest costs observed for crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar panels, which benefit from decades of development and cost reduction.
- Estimates suggest perovskite solar panels could cost around $0.10 per watt in the future, positioning them as one of the cheapest photovoltaic technologies historically.
- Traditional crystalline silicon panels are commonly produced at approximately $0.25 to $0.27 per watt at the manufacturer selling price (MSP).
- Perovskite-silicon tandem modules (a hybrid of perovskite on silicon) produced in the U.S. currently have production costs around $0.30 to $0.36 per watt, depending on architecture and efficiency, with further potential cost reductions anticipated as perovskite materials and processing become more industrialized. For example, a 32.5% efficient perovskite-silicon tandem module can be produced at about $0.26 to $0.31 per watt, which would be competitive with or even below a 22% efficient PERC silicon module cost of $0.285 per watt.
Cost Drivers and Expectations
- Perovskite solar cells have lower material and manufacturing costs compared to other thin-film technologies and high-cost solar technologies like GaAs, which can cost $50 per watt. For comparison, regular thin-film photovoltaics range from $0.40 to $0.69 per watt, while perovskites are estimated at $0.16 per watt currently and could fall to $0.10 per watt.
- Some cost components of tandem perovskite-silicon modules, such as solar glass, encapsulation, and electron transport layers, contribute to slightly higher costs compared to single-junction silicon panels, but these are expected to reduce with scale and standardization.
- Capital costs for perovskite modules, even for moderate to high efficiency versions, have been analyzed to be lower than other photovoltaic technologies, leading to a competitive levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) in the range of 3.5 to 4.9 cents per kWh, assuming efficiencies above 12% and lifetimes of at least 15 years.
Summary Table
| Technology | Approximate Cost ($/W) | Efficiency Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) | $0.25 – $0.27 | 20-22% typical | Mature technology, well-developed |
| Perovskite Solar Cells (single) | $0.10 – $0.16 (future estimate) | Varies, improving | Potentially cheapest PV technology |
| Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Modules | $0.26 – $0.36 | 25-35% | Still in manufacturing scale-up phase |
| Thin-film Photovoltaics (regular) | $0.40 – $0.69 | Lower efficiency | More expensive than perovskites |
| GaAs Solar Technology | ~$50 | High efficiency | Very costly, niche applications |
Conclusion
Perovskite solar panels currently are roughly comparable in cost to the lowest-cost crystalline silicon panels, with strong potential to undercut silicon prices significantly as manufacturing scales and lifetimes improve. Tandem perovskite-silicon modules, combining high efficiencies, are approaching competitive production costs relative to traditional silicon-only panels, which could drive rapid adoption once durability and manufacturing challenges are overcome.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-cost-of-perovskite-solar-panels-compare-to-traditional-silicon-based-panels/
