According to a Reuters article the cost of solar in the US is dropping. But it is not dropping from European levels.
"This year, sharp declines in the prices of solar panels drove costs down by 11 percent to $5.2 per watt in the first six months alone for installations in California."
Schipping from China to California is easier than shipping to Europe, yet CIF (container to Rotterdam) prices in Holland are skirting 1 USD/Watt. The difference is mentioned:
"Costs for small residential systems in the Unites States were $6.90 per watt, far higher than the $4.20 per watt cost in Germany,
a country that has more than 8 times as much solar built as the United States."
Wait a minute. Germany has a feed in tarif. The much hated curse that gave it more than 50 times as much solar for LESS government money when compared to subsidies. It was supposed to drive the prices up. Of course Germany makes panels, but the cheap panels they offer to me (amongst others) are offered at 2,3 USD, and the price can go lower through direct import. California has decided to require PV projects to vie for utility interest, which is like sending your daughters to ask the pimp to assign them a husband. With such high prices this is going to be a bonus for banks and utilities, and people will be more disenfranchised because they just won’t be able to find cash to provide themselves with thier primary need, energy.