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Updated 2026 Data

LCOE Calculator: Compare Technologies

Calculate the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for different solar panel technologies. Compare PERC, TOPCon, HJT and bifacial panels in your specific location and find the most profitable option for your project.

Select Technologies to Compare

Project Parameters

Configure location and plant

25%
AsphaltSand/Gravel
Best LCOE

HJT Bifacial Premium

37.24 €/MWh
Total CAPEX
€640,000
Year 1 Production
1,683 MWh
Savings vs TOPCon (25 years)
+€165,158

LCOE Ranking

1
HJT Bif.
1,599 MWh/year
37.24 €/MWh
CAPEX: 0.64 €/Wp
2
PERC Mono
1,301 MWh/year
40.17 €/MWh
CAPEX: 0.55 €/Wp
3
TOPCon
1,322 MWh/year
41.37 €/MWh
CAPEX: 0.58 €/Wp

LCOE Comparison by Technology

What is LCOE?

The LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy) is the industry standard metric for comparing the real cost of different energy sources. It represents the average cost per MWh of electricity produced over the project's entire lifespan.

LCOE = (Present Value of Costs) / (Present Value of Production)

Unlike comparing only CAPEX (€/Wp), LCOE considers all factors affecting profitability: panel degradation, efficiency, OPEX, lifespan and discount rate. This enables more accurate investment decisions.

2026 Technology Comparison

Technology Efficiency Cost (€/Wp) Temp. Coef. Degradation/year
PERC Mono 21-22% 0.18-0.22 € -0.35%/°C 0.45-0.55%
TOPCon 22-23% 0.20-0.24 € -0.30%/°C 0.40-0.45%
HJT 23-24% 0.24-0.28 € -0.25%/°C 0.25-0.35%
PERC Bifacial 21-22% 0.20-0.24 € -0.35%/°C 0.45-0.55%
HJT Bifacial 23-24% 0.26-0.30 € -0.25%/°C 0.25-0.35%

Key Factors for LCOE

Irradiation (GHI)

Global horizontal irradiation determines how much solar energy your location receives. In Spain it varies from 1,350 kWh/m²/year (Galicia) to 2,000 kWh/m²/year (Almería), which can mean 50% more production.

Temperature

Panels lose efficiency with heat. With an average temperature of 20°C, a PERC panel (-0.35%/°C) loses ~5% more than an HJT (-0.25%/°C). In hot climates, this favors technologies with better thermal coefficient.

Albedo (Bifacial)

Albedo measures ground reflectivity. With white gravel (30%), bifacial panels can gain 15-20% extra production. With dark asphalt (10%), the gain drops to only 5-7%.

Degradation

Annual degradation reduces production each year. A PERC panel with 0.50%/year produces 87% at 25 years. An HJT with 0.30%/year produces 92%. This difference means 5% more total energy.

Which Technology to Choose?

1

Standard PERC Mono

For: Utility-scale projects with tight budgets, medium-high irradiance areas, when minimum CAPEX is priority over maximum production.

2

TOPCon

For: Optimal cost/production balance, 10-50 MW plants, areas with moderate-high temperature. The 2026 market "sweet spot".

3

HJT Bifacial

For: Maximize kWh/m², very hot climates (`>`35°C frequent), surfaces with high albedo (`>`25%), long-term PPA projects where 25-year production matters.

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