@misc{36360,
  author = {Galen L Barbose and Naïm R Darghouth and Eric O'Shaughnessy and Sydney Forrester},
  title = {Tracking the Sun: Pricing and Design Trends for Distributed Photovoltaic Systems in the United States, 2024 Edition},
  abstract = {<p>Berkeley Lab’s annual <em>Tracking the Sun</em> report describes trends among grid-connected, distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) and paired PV+storage systems in the United States. For the purpose of this report, distributed solar includes residential systems, roof-mounted non-residential systems, and ground-mounted systems up to 5 MW-AC.&nbsp; Ground-mounted systems larger than 5 MW-AC are covered in Berkeley Lab’s companion annual report, <a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/utility-scale-solar/"><em>Utility-Scale Solar</em></a>.</p><p>The latest edition of the report is based on 3.7 million systems installed through year-end 2023, representing close to 80% of systems installed to date. The report describes and discusses key trends related to:</p><ul><li><strong>Project characteristics</strong>, including system size, module efficiencies, roof-coverage ratios, prevalence of paired PV with storage, use of module-level power electronics, third-party ownership, mounting configurations, panel orientation, and customer segmentation</li><li><strong>Median installed-price trends</strong>, both nationally and by state</li><li><strong>Variability in pricing</strong> according to system size, state, installer, equipment type, and other factors, relying on both descriptive analysis and a multi-variate regression to estimate the effects of key pricing drivers for residential systems installed in 2023.</li></ul>},
  year = {2024},
  month = {08/2024},
  note = {<p>The <a href="https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/tracking_the_sun_2024_report.pdf">report</a>, published in slide-deck format, is accompanied by a narrative <a href="https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/tracking_the_sun_2024_executive_summary.pdf">executive summary</a>, <a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/tracking-sun-tool">interactive data visualizations</a>, and a <a href="https://bit.ly/trackingthesun-2024">public data file</a>. All items can also be found at: <a href="http://trackingthesun.lbl.gov/">http://trackingthesun.lbl.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>A brief overview of this report can be viewed <a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/news/updated-report-and-data-illustrate-distributed-solar-pricing-and-design-trends">here</a>. A webinar discussing this study was recorded on September 4, 2024, and can be viewed <a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/tracking-sun-2024-edition">here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>We want to hear from you. If you have specific questions about the report or data or requests for related analytical support from LBNL staff, you can submit those comments through a separate form <a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/forms/user-feedback-form-tracking-sun">here</a>, and they will be routed to the appropriate staff.</p>},
  language = {eng},
}