Why is Solar Still So Expensive in the U.S.?

vs Germany and Australia

You’d think it’s the cost of panels and batteries—but that’s only half the story. The other half? A tangled web of permits, inspections, engineering headaches, insurance, and paperwork that’s bleeding solar companies dry and keeping prices sky high.

We’re joined by the man who’s on a mission to change that: Andrew “Birchy” Birch. You’ll hear why U.S. solar costs are double those in Germany and Australia, why nearly every big-name solar installer has gone out of business, and how a one-page invoice and no-permit process in Europe blew our minds back in 2007.

We break down the real cost stack for rooftop solar, and how you—yes, you—can help drive down prices through smarter permitting, better service models, and demanding a better product.

Want to know how to actually fix solar in America? We’re talking project velocity, profitability, SolarAPP+, OpenSolar, and why good service isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the secret weapon to staying in business.

And if you've ever asked yourself, "Why can’t we just make this easier?"—this episode is for you.

Hit play and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about solar installation costs on this week's Energy Show.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

📺 The S-Curve: Why the Solar Industry is Failing to Scale → Watch on YouTube

📄 The Electric Protocol Policy Paper → Read it here

🌞 Learn more about automated permitting with SolarAPP+ → gosolarapp.org

⚡ Help modernize solar permitting → permitpower.org