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These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs and guide SETO research and development programs. Read more to find out how these cost benchmarks are modeled and download the data and cost modeling program below.
The MMP results are $30.36 (residential), $40.51 (community solar), and $16.58 (utility-scale). The community solar O&M cost is higher than the O&M cost for a single-customer commercial PV system of similar configuration because of the community solar subscriber management cost, which accounts for about 40% of the total community solar O&M cost.
Our operations and maintenance (O&M) analysis breaks costs into various categories and provides total annualized O&M costs. The MSP results for PV systems (in units of 2022 real USD/kWdc/yr) are $28.78 (residential), $39.83 (community solar), and $16.12 (utility-scale).
The PV System Cost Model (PVSCM) was developed by SETO and NREL to make the cost benchmarks simpler and more transparent, while expanding to cover PV product components not previously benchmarked. PVSCM can also facilitate sensitivity analysis based on key system parameters in their intrinsic units.
According to Bankrate, solar battery system storage costs between $6,000 and $23,000 for installed systems (parts and labor included). EnergySage reports that the average solar battery storage price for an 11.4 kWh battery is about $9,041, suggesting an average cost near $10,000.
The cost of installing a battery storage system varies based on capacity, installation complexity, and equipment needs. Prices range from $6,000–$23,000, but financial incentives – such as the 30% federal tax credit – can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
The average cost to install a solar battery in 2026 ranges from $9,000 to $19,000, with most homeowners spending about $13,000. The total price depends mainly on the type and capacity of the battery, as well as the complexity of your system.
Lithium-ion batteries: The most common choice for residential solar energy storage, lithium-ion batteries were first developed for electric vehicles. They offer a competitive balance of cost, efficiency, and durability, lasting longer while being lighter and more compact than lead-acid alternatives.
The price is the expected installed capital cost of an energy storage system. Because the capital cost of these systems will vary depending on the power (kW) and energy (kWh) rating of the system, a range of system prices is provided. 2. Evolving System Prices
Around the beginning of this year, BloombergNEF (BNEF) released its annual Battery Storage System Cost Survey, which found that global average turnkey energy storage system prices had fallen 40% from 2023 numbers to US$165/kWh in 2024.
Generally speaking, the cost of the gas storage tank is the most expensive part of the entire system. Operation and maintenance costs include energy consumption and equipment maintenance. The current cost of compressed air energy storage systems is between US$500-1,000/kWh.
The current cost of compressed air energy storage systems is between US$500-1,000/kWh. Supercapacitor energy storage cost: Supercapacitor is a high-power density energy storage device, and its cost is mainly composed of hardware costs, including equipment such as capacitors and control systems.
The benchmarks are bottom-up cost estimates of all major inputs to typical PV and energy storage system configurations and installation practices. Bottom-up costs are based on national averages and do not necessarily represent typical costs in all local markets.
The total cost over the service life of the system is amortized to give a levelized cost per year. In the PV System Cost Model (PVSCM), the owner's overnight capital expense (cash cost) for an installed PV system is divided into eight categories, which are the same for the utility-scale, commercial, and residential PV market segments:
Our operations and maintenance (O&M) analysis breaks costs into various categories and provides total annualized O&M costs. The MSP results for PV systems (in units of 2022 real USD/kWdc/yr) are $28.78 (residential), $39.83 (community solar), and $16.12 (utility-scale).
These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs and guide SETO research and development programs. Read more to find out how these cost benchmarks are modeled and download the data and cost modeling program below.
Get technical specifications, product datasheets, ROI analysis templates, and 2026 energy storage subsidy policy information.
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