Solar farming can be profitable, with average returns of 10-15% annually. Initial setup costs range from $800 to $1,200 per kW of capacity while operating costs are typically low. Revenue depends on local energy prices and solar irradiance levels. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U. solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to develop cost benchmarks. These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs. NLR analyzes the total costs associated with installing photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential rooftop, commercial rooftop, and utility-scale ground-mount systems. This work has grown to include cost models for solar-plus-storage systems. By 2025, the price of utility-scale solar installations within the U. 05 dollars each kWh, a 5 MW farm brings around 375 thousand dollars in first year revenue, and maybe 8 millions during the whole 25-year life after the gradual decline. But everything comes down to the. With a specific calculator, you can assess your profit margins, the total costs you will incur, and ultimately, how much money you will make annually.