Solar Payback Calculator: Solar Tool

Estimate only.Confirm with a pro and get a real quote. A professional solar site assessment and a written installer quote are authoritative for final system size, production, and cost.

Screening result

Enter cost and annual savings to estimate simple payback.

Fine Print and Sources

Estimate only. These tools use only the values you enter and simple planning math. Confirm with a pro and get a real quote. A professional solar site assessment and a written installer quote are authoritative for system sizing, production, and final purchase decisions.

Method: simple payback in years equals gross cost minus incentive, divided by annual savings. Incentive defaults to 0. Confirm current federal and state incentives at the source, since incentive rules changed after 2025. This is a simple payback and does not account for financing, rate escalation, degradation, or the time value of money.

EnergySage solar sizing guide: explains how annual electricity use, peak sun hours, and panel wattage drive system size and panel count.
NREL PVWatts calculator: a detailed production model that accounts for location, orientation, shading, and system losses.
EnergySage solar cost guide: covers gross system cost, savings, and payback drivers for residential solar.
IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit: confirm current federal credit eligibility and amounts, since incentive rules changed after 2025.
DSIRE: use this database and your electric utility to check current state, local, and utility solar incentives.