Solar costs have deflated from $4,000/kW to $800/kW from 2012 to 2025, as measured at utility scale solar projects, using our solar bill of materials, and global commodity price databases. . The evolution of residential solar over the last decade has been astonishing, to say the least. In 2025, solar panels are cheaper and more efficient than ever! Solar panels becoming more affordable will be a key player in the expansion of residential solar, contributing to the combat against. . Solar costs have deflated by 70% in the past decade to $800/kW in 2025. 60% has been the scale-up to mass manufacturing, and 40% has been rising efficiency of solar modules. Doubling the efficiency, and thereby the output of solar modules, can once again halve solar costs over time, perhaps in the. . Solar panels promise decades of clean energy and reduced utility bills, but understanding their true lifetime costs reveals a more complex financial picture than just the initial price tag. From installation and maintenance to eventual replacement, homeowners need to consider the complete 25-30. .