How are Solar Cells priced?
All solar panels are priced per watt of energy produced. According to The Information Network a 20MW amorphous silicon plant in the U.S. can cost $60 million in equipment. In addition, there is an annual investment of $40 million in yearly expenses. The cost of ownership is as high as $2.50 to $3.00 per watt. According to the same source, U.S.-made amorphous silicon panels cost about $2 wholesale. Cadmium telluride costs $1.40 per watt to produce; CIGS panels, about $2.10. Factor in marketing and distribution costs and finished U.S. made thin-solar panels are easily $3.50 per watt.
