In this article, we'll take a deep dive into eight major historical solar panel price drops, look at the events and trends that caused them, and explore how those same factors might keep driving prices lower. And yes — I'll back it up with real examples, market analysis, and even a few surprises. . The cost of the earliest solar panels per watt was significantly higher compared to modern standards. In 1956, the initial commercially available solar panels were priced at around $300 per watt, making solar energy a luxury for many. This means a 4 kW system costs roughly USD 11,360, and a 10 kW system costs about USD 28,400 before tax credits. . IRENA presents solar photovoltaic module prices for a number of different technologies. Here we use the average yearly price for technologies 'Thin film a-Si/u-Si or Global Price Index (from Q4 2013)'. IRENA (2025); Nemet. . Researchers from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany tracked six photovoltaic systems installed between 1987 and 1993 across the country's dramatically different climates — temperate valleys, snowy mountain huts, and high-altitude research stations perched above the clouds. After more than 30 years. .
