Table:
|  |  | Years Ended |  |  | Change |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 over 2018 |  | 2018 over 2017 |  |
| Modules | $ 1,460,116 | $ 502,001 | $ 806,398 | $ 958,115 | 191% | $(304,397) | (38)% |
| Systems . | 1,603,001 | 1,742,043 | 2,134,926 | (139,042) | (8)% | (392,883) | (18)% |
| Net sales . | $ 3,063,117 | $ 2,244,044 | $ 2,941,324 | $ 819,073 | 36% | $(697,280) | (24)% |
Paragraphs:
Systems Business
During 2019, EDP Renewables, ConnectGen, and Innergex Renewable Energy each accounted for more than 10% of our systems business net sales, and the majority of our systems business net sales were in the United States and Australia. Substantially all of our systems business net sales during 2019 were denominated in U.S. dollars and Australian dollars. We typically recognize revenue for sales of solar power systems using cost based input methods, which result in revenue being recognized as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred compared to the total estimated costs for a given contract. We may also recognize revenue for the sale of a development project, which excludes EPC services, or for the sale of a completed system when we enter into the associated sales contract with the customer. The revenue recognition policies for our systems business are further described in Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our consolidated financial statements.
The following table shows net sales by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
Net sales from our modules segment increased by $958.1 million in 2019 primarily due to a 180% increase in the volume of watts sold and a 4% increase in the average selling price per watt. Net sales from our systems segment decreased by $139.0 million in 2019 primarily as a result of the sale of the Mashiko and certain India projects in 2018 and the completion of substantially all construction activities at the California Flats, Willow Springs, and various other projects in Florida in late 2018 and early 2019, partially offset by the sale of the Sun Streams, Sunshine Valley, and Beryl projects and ongoing construction activities at the Phoebe and GA Solar 4 projects in 2019.
Question:
What were the reasons for the increase in sales from the modules segment in 2019?
Answer: Net sales from our modules segment increased by $958.1 million in 2019 primarily due to a 180% increase in the volume of watts sold and a 4% increase in the average selling price per watt.