The Solar PV Supply Chain Cost Tool is an analytical instrument developed to understand the cost structure of the photovoltaic supply chain, from polysilicon to the final module. Based on a reproducible and transparent model, it integrates technical data, documented assumptions, and user-adjustable parameters, allowing the simulation of different production, trade, and technology deployment scenarios.

Its main value lies in its ability to disaggregate costs by stage — materials, energy, labour, or capital — and to compare them across countries and industrial configurations, incorporating variables such as energy prices, labour costs, or tariffs. It also enables cost estimation under different conditions, including domestic production, imports, or compliance with ESG criteria, generating results in visual and comparable formats that facilitate interpretation.

The tool is particularly useful for policymakers, investors, and industrial stakeholders seeking to assess strategies for reshoring, diversification, or scaling up production in a context shaped by tensions between competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.