Solar modules are the most critical components in constructing a photovoltaic system. Therefore, you also represent the most significant cost factor. For the PV system to be worthwhile for the system operator, it is important to keep an eye on and compare the prices of solar modules.

This article answers the following questions:

– How much do solar panels price in the Philippines

– What are the prices of different types of PV modules?

– How has the price developed over time?

– Which solar modules are advantageous and cheap to purchase?

What are the prices for solar panels in the Philippines

The wholesale prices for solar modules average 12k to 25k PHP per kWp. Thin-film or polycrystalline modules are 25 to 40% cheaper. With a 10 kWp PV system, the costs of the modules are around 160k to 210k. Around 3 to 5k PHP are incurred per square meter.

Retail vs. Wholesale

Retail prices are always higher than wholesale prices. This is, of course, also the case with solar modules. The price of solar panels in the Philippines is about 60 to 100 percent higher at retail than at wholesale.

With small solar projects for self-construction, for example, a mini-PV system for the balcony, you have to accept that as a private person. When purchasing a photovoltaic system for your roof or garage, the solar modules should be purchased from wholesalers. Otherwise, the return on the solar system can even be harmful.

Important to know:

Every photovoltaic company in the Philippines offers turnkey PV systems. This means that all components (such as modules, inverters, solar cables, and PV substructure ) are obtained from wholesalers. The price is passed on to the buyer.

Share of the solar modules in the total costs of the PV system

A photovoltaic system currently costs around 90k per kWp. However, the price can differ significantly: a range of 72k to 108k/kWp (without electricity storage or battery) is typical. This is due to supply and demand, the materials used, the size of the system, and the region. Irrespective of this, solar modules make up a considerable proportion of the total price. But how exactly are the costs divided? The table below shows the costs of the individual components:

Component	Price per kWp	Price 10 kWp	Percentage
Solar Panels	21k PHP	210k PHP	21%
Inverter	11k PHP	110k PHP	11%
Solar Cable	6k PHP	60k PHP	6%
Substracture	9k PHP	90k PHP	10%
Assembly	22k PHP	220k PHP	23%
AC Installation	6k PHP	60k PHP	7%
Planning / Profit	21k PHP	210k PHP	22%
Total	98k PHP	980k PHP	100%

Solar modules account for 15 to 25 percent of the total costs.

Caution:

Due to increased demand, difficult delivery situations, and high inflation, some photovoltaic suppliers ask for significantly higher prices.

Price of solar panel modules by module type in the Philippines

1. Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Monocrystalline solar modules have recently become the standard for residential PV systems. The production of the homogeneous crystal lattice is technically more complex than other processes. Prices are highest for mono solar modules in the Philippines, ranging from 12k to 25k per kWp (material only). The efficiency is 19 to 22.8 percent.

2. Polycrystalline Solar Panel

Polycrystalline solar modules deliver slightly less yield with the same area. The efficiency is 17 to 20 percent. The production is somewhat easier, but no solar module manufacturers now produce polycrystalline modules. The price is around 9k to 15k PHP per kWp.

3. Thin-layer Solar Panel

Thin-film solar modules can be built on different technologies. For example, cadmium telluride (CdTe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), or copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) are widely used. The efficiencies are lower than crystalline solar modules and are between 8 and 18 percent. The costs are 8k to 16k PHP per kWp.

Type of solar panel and Solar panel price in the Philippines

Solar Panel Types Philippines	Solar Panel Price Philippines	Price Complete System
Monocrystalline	12k -27k PHP	60k – 100k PHP
Polycrystalline	9k – 15k PHP	60k -90k PHP
Thin-film	7k – 17k PHP	54k – 90l PHP

Solar modules are manufactured all over the world. The three largest regions are Europe, China, and the rest of Asia (particularly South Korea and Japan). The quality is similarly good with well-known brand manufacturers. It is, therefore, not necessary to choose a solar panel “Made in China.”

The purchase price per square meter

It is uncommon to quote the price of photovoltaic modules per square meter. Nevertheless, it can be helpful for a quick rough calculation. So let’s take a closer look.

The module prices per m² do not only depend on the purchase price. In addition, the efficiency of the solar module is crucial. A practical PV module has the best price-performance ratio of nominal output per square meter compared to the acquisition costs.

Today’s typical solar module delivers around 200-watt peak (Wp) per m². In the case of top modules with the highest levels of efficiency, as in our PV module test, 226 Wp per m² are also possible. Inexpensive modules bring about 180 Wp or 0.180 kWp per square meter.

The average price for solar panels is between 10k PHP and 20k PHP per square meter. With costly solar module manufacturers, such as LG, the prices can be even more expensive.

The advantage of expensive PV modules is that more capacity or nominal power fits into the given area. The disadvantage results from the high additional costs.

Cost per module

The cost of a solar module can be calculated quickly. All you have to do is multiply the rated output of the module, specified in watt-peak or kilowatt-peak, by the cost per unit.

With a standard module with 380 Wp and a price of 20/Wp, this results in:
– Module price = nominal output solar module * costs per Wp.
– Module price = 380 Wp * 20PHP /WP = is almost 7kPHP

In online retail trade, the solar module will cost 10k to 12k.

Price development of solar modules

The module prices are constantly changing. While solar modules cost 100 to 150 cents per Wp in 2007, today, it is only about 25 percent of that. Retail prices have fallen by 75 percent in 13 years.

In 2022 there was an increase in the prices of solar components. PV modules have also picked up due to inflation and increased demand. There has been a slight price recovery since the end of the year.

Overall, the acquisition costs of a private photovoltaic system have also been significantly reduced to the delight of interested households.

At the same time, there was a constant reduction in the feed-in tariff, which is why the prospect of profit from the yield of the PV system has remained about the same. After all, investing in solar modules or buying a photovoltaic system is affordable even without a solar loan.

Since mid-2020, I have seen an increase in the price of photovoltaic modules. This is mainly due to increased demand, poor supply, and inflation.

The following points influence why solar panels vary in price in the Philippines

1. Rated power and efficiency

Research keeps setting new records for solar modules. It always takes a few years before these are possible in manufacturing. Nevertheless, solar manufacturers regularly increase the maximum nominal output and the efficiency of the modules. You pay a significantly higher price if you want the currently best solar module.

2. Company or manufacturer

Each producer has its price structure. Some companies are generally a bit cheaper.

3. Origin

Where the PV modules are manufactured affects the price. Chinese solar modules tend to be the most affordable. European manufacturers are in the middle, and Japanese and South Korean companies charge the most.

4. Module size

The size of the solar module influences the price. Larger dimensions reduce the manufacturing costs somewhat because, for example, less aluminum has to be used for the module frame.

5. Design

The standard module has a silver frame and a white foil back. Those who rely on black modules (ALL Black) pay an additional 3 to 5 percent

6. Number of modules

Some savings can be made by purchasing a large number of solar panels. The sellers or online shops usually offer graduated prices.

7. PV power optimizer

Shadows on the photovoltaic system produce poorer yields from the incoming global radiation. The result: poorer yields. PV power optimizers can fix, or at least significantly mitigate, this problem. The optimizers can be integrated in the solar module or connected externally. In any case, the acquisition leads to additional costs and higher income.

8. Supply and Demand

Like all other goods, PV modules are subject to the laws of the market economy. If more is produced than demanded, prices fall. On the other hand, the prices are called an increase.

Are used photovoltaic modules in the Philippines worth it?

Used solar modules are available on various platforms and marketplaces. But is it worth it financially? Unfortunately, no. Although solar panels are available with a price reduction of up to 80 percent, there is a small problem: the feed-in tariff is linked to the modules.

For example, if the PV modules have already been used for ten years, there are only ten more years after the second-hand purchase, not a full 20 years.

How Does Solar Panel Work

1. The solar panel captures light and transforms it into electrical energy

When in contact with sunlight, the photovoltaic solar panel installed on the roof produces electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The junction of photovoltaic modules connected forms the solar panel. 

In each project, it is necessary to calculate the necessary number of boards according to the electrical consumption to be met. That is, the larger the size of the solar panel, the more photovoltaic panels it has and the more energy it can generate.

2. The photovoltaic inverter adapts the electric current of the energy

Before it can be used, the electricity produced by the solar panel needs to pass through the photovoltaic inverter, equipment that adapts its current to the standard of our electrical grid, from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC).

The solar inverter makes the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panel able to power televisions, computers, appliances, and any other electrical equipment in your home or business.

3. The energy reaches the light board and is distributed around your home or business.

The electrical energy that comes out of the solar inverter goes to the “light panel” and is distributed to meet the consumption of your property. As you generate this energy, there is no cost to its use. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative to the electricity you buy from the distributor to reduce your electricity bill. A photovoltaic system can meet the total electrical demand of a property, from tiny homes to large companies and industries.

For this, however, the system must be designed according to the consumption and characteristics of each property, as well as the climatic factors of the region where it will be installed. Ideally, request quotes from experienced companies that come to your location to collect the necessary data for your photovoltaic system.

4. Energy powers lights and electrical equipment throughout your property

The electricity produced by the system can meet the most varied types of electrical consumption in a home or business, from light bulbs and air conditioners to televisions, stereos, computers, and other equipment connected to the outlet.

5. Excess energy is injected into the electrical grid, generating credits

Typically, during the day, the photovoltaic solar panel will produce more energy than that consumed in the property during that period. This excess energy is injected into the electrical grid in on-grid photovoltaic systems.

When installing an on-grid photovoltaic system, your old light clock is replaced by a new “bidirectional” model, which measures energy input and output.

In this way, the local distributor can compute, month by month, the amount of energy that you have injected into your network, as well as the energy that you have consumed from it during the night or in moments of low sunlight when your solar panel is not operated or produces less energy.

The electricity your photovoltaic system injects into the grid becomes energy credits for you. For every kilowatt-hour ( kWh ) of energy supplied to the grid by your system, you receive an energy credit that offsets the same as one kWh of energy consumed from the grid.

Every month, the distributor details the number of credits generated and consumed on its invoice and any remaining balance, which remains valid for up to 60 months.

When you install an on-grid photovoltaic system capable of meeting all the electricity consumption of your home or business, the credits generated in the month will be enough to offset everything you consume from the distributor, which can help save electricity by up to 95 % in the invoice amount.

What Is the Durability of a Solar Panel?

It is known that panels are among the most critical components of a photovoltaic power generation system. Precisely for this reason, they must be in excellent condition to fulfill their entire useful life, from 25 to 30 years, with maximum efficiency. This period corresponds to the efficiency guarantee time manufacturers put in solar modules. That is, it is a certainty of their durability.

Research indicates that with maintenance and good preservation practices, the durability of solar panels can exceed 40 years. Check below the main points to consider when we talk about this subject.

Do Even the Best Solar Plates Lose Efficiency

It is well-known what constant exposure to the sun does to any material. Paints wear away, plastic materials harden and eventually break, and organic materials dry out despite relying on sunlight to survive.

However, the same power that will be responsible for degrading the condition of the panels is exactly what will produce electricity. More technically, what constant exposure to sunlight does is weaken the chemical bonds that are responsible for the functioning of the solar cell.

Most solar panels used in homes, businesses, and industries are made of silicon photovoltaic cells, and, like any other material, they are subject to wear and tear and aging.

How Much Efficiency Does a Solar Panel Lose Per Year

This is not an easy calculation, several variables influence this drop in efficiency. However, solar energy panels generally tend to lose up to 3% efficiency in the first year and then a loss of 0.7% annually on average.

The Main Signs of a Worn-Out Solar Panel

Despite being subject to wear and tear, solar panels can last many years, fulfilling their function efficiently. However, it is still essential to always be aware of the main signs of deterioration that the modules may face. Below are some points that should be observed on your solar energy card.

Presence of scratches on the surface of the panel;
Existence of stains;
Dryness;
Blurred panel;
Oxidation on metallic points and wires;
Loss of efficiency;
Cracks

How to Increase the Durability of a Solar Energy Plate

One of the main characteristics of photovoltaic solar panels is their durability and low maintenance requirements. There are some basic precautions to increase the durability of a solar panel. Here are some valuable tips that will help you with this task.

1. Clean the Solar Modules

One of the fundamental care for the maintenance of any equipment is cleaning. The process of cleaning solar energy plates is quite simple, the ideal is to do it with a damp cloth, without chemicals.

Another recommended and well-done way to clean is to wash with water and neutral soap, using a broom with soft bristles that will not scratch the plate glass.

Depending on the region, it is recommended that cleaning be done every 6 months so as not to accumulate too much dirt on the panels and disrupt energy production due to dust/dirt.

Important! Do not use abrasive substances and instruments, they can scratch the panels.

2. Perform Predictive Maintenance

The purpose of predictive maintenance is precaution, it assesses whether everything is working according to the design specifications. The simplest way to make this prediction is to analyze the power generation data and verify that the panels deliver optimal performance.

3. Perform Preventive Maintenance

For solar energy panels to reach their maximum durability potential for more than 30 years, they must carry out periodic preventive maintenance.

4. Here are some basic steps you can take:

Visual evaluation of the plates to check if there are no objects or excess waste on them;
Surface cleaning, as we highlighted;
Monitoring of production data;
If necessary, replace wires, connectors, and other installation items in the assessment.

5. Keep the Panels in the Correct Position

Remember that the higher the solar incidence, the more productivity the module will have. By default, the energy tiles face north because that’s the direction that best uses the light. Therefore, do not change the position of the panels if necessary for any reason. It will be necessary to reposition the modules.

How much electricity does a solar panel generate?

The production of a photovoltaic panel depends on several factors, such as the cost of installing solar energy, the quality of the materials used, and the incidence of sunlight on the site, among others. With all this adequately aligned, a 100 Wp panel can generate up to 20 kWh monthly.

However, monthly consumption must also include energy losses, which vary between off-grid systems — which store excess energy in batteries — and on-grid — in which excess energy is transformed into credits, which will be used through energy distributors.

How to calculate the power generation of a solar panel?

Several factors influence the energy output of a solar panel. I will show, below, how the calculation of the generation of a single panel is since the formula is more straightforward than you might think. To do this, use the equation:

Energy = solar module power x time x (yield) x local irradiation

In this case, consider the power as the maximum generating capacity of the module, the time as the hours of sound solar radiation for the solar panel to work, and the yield as the proportion of the total energy the system delivers. Irradiation is the amount of sunlight that falls, on average, on the site.

Solar energy systems connected to the grid ( on-grid ) generally have an energy loss of 20% due to specific technical issues. Therefore, considering a 340 Wp solar panel exposed daily to solar radiation, with 20% energy losses, and considering an average irradiation of 5 kWh/m2.day, the calculation will be as follows:

Energy = 340 x 1 x (1 – 0.20) x 5 = 1,360 Watt-hours (Wh) or 1.36 kilowatt-hours (kWh)

The result of this account corresponds to the amount of energy generated for an entire day. Thus, when multiplied by 30, we will have how much will be generated in a month (30 days). Finally, still considering the example, the solar module will produce 40.8 kWh.

How many solar panels are commonly used in an installation?

It is possible to reduce your home electricity bill by around 95%. Now, it’s time to find out how many solar panels must be installed to achieve this percentage of savings and what area must be available to install the photovoltaic system. See below!

How many solar panels are needed for a commercial or a home in the Philippines?

Now, I will show the factors that lead to calculating solar energy dimensioning.

When it comes to the photovoltaic system, it is essential to pay attention to the size of the generator, which must be calculated according to the project as a whole. In this sense, companies specialized in selling and installing photovoltaic projects measure the system’s size.

The variables for calculating solar energy are arranged in the following topics.

Average local solar radiation

We already know that the photovoltaic modules that make up the solar panel produce electrical energy by the incidence of sunlight, right? Therefore, it is easy to understand that the more sunlight there is on the plates, the fewer panels will be needed to manufacture the energy that the property (residential or commercial) will consume.

Solar panel power

Each solar panel model has a factory power generation capacity, varying according to the technology used and according to its composition. It is worth remembering that the power of a plate determines the maximum amount of energy it can generate from the amount of sunlight it needs.

Nowadays, residential solar energy panels have a power that varies from 340 Watts-peak (Wp) to 545 Wp modules — this is the case for larger houses (with higher consumption), for example, since they require much more electricity. You can check the module power in the solar panel data documents.

Recommendation – Purchase the solar modules at reasonable prices

I recommend using cheap or mainstream modules rather than the best premium modules when planning the solar system. High-quality solar modules indeed offer the highest efficiency and better guarantees, but at the same time, they are sometimes significantly more expensive.

It is good to ask the solar installer if they can make multiple quotes using different solar panels. This allows a quick comparison to be made.