It's a deliberate reference/meme that is basically used to acknowledge the precedent of overly exuberant predictions of cost in an emerging technology but argue "however, this time it's true".
Of course, perilous territory for future irony depending on how your prediction plays out.
Long distance phone calls were charged per minute.
Texting was charged per character.
And if you have the capabilities to install your own solar it can pay itself back in 6 years. Not sure what that looks like with 100% battery coverage.
Of course, perilous territory for future irony depending on how your prediction plays out.