In recent weeks, the Czech Republic has witnessed an unprecedented drop in the prices of photovoltaic power plants, creating an opportune environment for households. According to pwXchange, the wholesale price of solar panels has halved since December 2022, leading to substantial cost savings for those considering the installation of rooftop solar systems.

Lukáš Papež from Woltair, a company specializing in photovoltaics and heat pumps, highlights the significant impact of this price decline. Installing a rooftop photovoltaic system with a ten-kilowatt output and batteries, for example, is now nearly a fifth cheaper than the peak prices at the end of 2022, translating to savings of approximately one hundred thousand crowns.

The current cost of such a power plant stands at around 400,000 CZK. Government subsidies continue to support these initiatives, covering up to half of the total cost. This particular output is well-suited to meeting typical household energy consumption during the summer months. However, in winter, relying solely on photovoltaics may prove insufficient for heating and other energy needs.

The current price of solar panels is approximately 0.11 euros per watt of output. There is a possibility of a price increase to 0.13 euros per watt due to potential production slowdowns in Asia later in the year. Jan Krčmář, the executive director of the Solar Association, has cautioned about the potential impact on wholesale prices, estimating costs of around 1120 crowns, with VAT totaling about 1360 CZK, for a 450-watt panel.

Despite these warnings, Columbus Energy is planning to offer discounted installations, driven by changes in its product range. The reduction in prices, particularly for installations involving substantial investment, is expected to translate into savings of several thousand crowns for households. The surge in interest in photovoltaics among households and businesses is attributed to the increased electricity prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Article by Prague Forum