China solar panel installation costs

That's more than 60% below the US price of 40 cents per watt, according to the report. A year ago, Chinese panels cost 26 cents per watt. China's price plunge gives manufacturers there an enormous advantage over rivals in places like the United States and Europe.

A year ago, Chinese panels cost 26 cents per watt. China's price plunge gives manufacturers there an enormous advantage over rivals in places like the United States and Europe. US producers have been increasingly concerned by the wave of new factories in China, which could make their own uneconomical.

Consolidation in China's crowded solar power sector is pushing smaller players out of the market, but excess production capacity - with more on the way - threatens to keep global prices low for years.

Panel production costs in the world's largest producer of solar energy have declined a whopping 42% from year ago, dropping as low as 15 cents per watt, according to a report by energy consultant Wood Mackenzie. That's more than 60% below the US price of 40 cents per watt, according to the report. A year ago, Chinese panels cost 26 cents per watt.

According to our analysis, if electricity prices of the provinces remain unchanged, the cost of PV electricity could be reduced to 0.52–1.22 RMB/kWh by 2015, which is comparable with the grid prices in regions with large PV capacity and high electricity prices, such as Guangdong, Beijing, and Shanghai.

Module prices in China slid to a record low in December as manufacturers in the country rushed to clear their inventories amid a seasonal lull, PV magazine reported last week. Solar panel demand tends to drop off during the winter months in the country.