Solar Energy Cost Tracker
Real monthly price data from US government sources (FRED, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Updated automatically each month.
Last updated: March 30, 2026 · Data: Federal Reserve / BLS
📖 How to read this data
These indices track the real cost of materials and labor that go into home renovation projects, sourced directly from US government agencies. When an index rises, contractor quotes typically follow within 1–3 months — materials get passed through to the homeowner. Use the trend charts to gauge whether prices are climbing, stabilizing, or pulling back before locking in a quote or signing a contract.
Avg US Retail Electricity Price
Source: EIA via FRED
0.2¢/kWh
February 2026
▲ 6.2% vs Sep 24
What this measures
Average US retail electricity price (cents per kWh) — the primary driver of solar ROI.
Electric Power PPI
Source: BLS via FRED
285.9
February 2026
▲ 1% vs Sep 24
What this measures
Producer Price Index for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Data Sources
All data is sourced from official US government databases: the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Charts show up to 18 months of monthly observations. Index values use the BLS base period (1982-84=100 unless noted).
All data is sourced from official US government databases: the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Charts show up to 18 months of monthly observations. Index values use the BLS base period (1982-84=100 unless noted).