Solar Battery Prices info

Unlike solar modules and inverters, batteries are a mature technology and a product that is used in volume outside the solar energy industry. Consequently, the opportunity for major cost breakthroughs over the medium term is limited. Batteries are used in the substantial off-grid solar markets, but also in on-grid markets, where the customer requires power even during periods that the electricity grid is down. Batteries can account for around 15% of the cost of an installed solar energy system. While there are many more battery manufacturers than solar cell manufacturers, the market is segmented both by battery technology and location. Not all battery manufacturers serve the solar electric market. A high weight to price ratio means that where possible companies minimize transportation of batteries. Therefore, it is typical, for example, for a European manufacturer to mainly serve European markets. Pricing Summary From a survey of 384 prices from 21 online retailers, there were just four price moves this month as compared to 16 moves in the prior month. There were three price increases and one price decrease compared to 14 price increases and two price decreases in June's result. The US index was unchanged at $0.213 per watt hour. For batteries most commonly used, the average retail price is from $0.239/watt hour to $0.260/watt hour; the high end industrial solution is $0.361/watt hour. Unlike the methodology for the solar module price index, which separates Europe-based dealers from United States dealers, the battery index pools all the prices in the survey, for all dealers worldwide, and translates them in to either dollars or euros regardless of the original currency. In the past month, the dollar was unchanged against the euro. As a result, the overall euro index was unchanged at €0.149 per output watt hour. The battery price index is based upon "price per watt hour" rating. Though not a perfect measure, since technology choice and other technical factors are relevant, the consistent approach in the index provides a representative guide on the direction and magnitude of changes. The index calculation is based upon the aggregate of all the prices divided by the aggregate output watts at 20 amp hours. Consequently a price per watt hour at 20 amp hours of discharge is the result. Source:  http://www.solarbuzz.com/facts-and-figures/retail-price-environment/battery-prices