Calculate your solar investment return. See payback period, lifetime savings, and environmental impact.
Solar System Specifications
Typical residential: 5-10 kW
Cost before incentives and rebates
Your Current Electricity Costs
Check your utility bill for current rate
Your typical monthly electricity cost
Incentives & Financing
Currently 30% through 2032
Additional local incentives
Cost Factors & Inflation
Your Solar Investment Analysis
Payback Period
0 years
Time to break even
25-Year Savings
$0
Lifetime financial benefit
ROI
0%
Return on investment
| Financial Metric | With Solar | Without Solar | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 5-Year Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 10-Year Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 25-Year Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Environmental Impact
0
Tons of CO₂ Reduced
0
Equivalent Trees Planted
0
Cars Off the Road
25-Year Savings Timeline
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Quentions
1. What is the average payback period for solar panels?
Most residential solar systems have payback periods of 6-12 years, depending on system cost, local electricity rates, available incentives, and sunlight exposure. Systems in high-electricity-cost states like California and Hawaii often achieve payback in 5-7 years.
2. How does the federal solar tax credit work?
The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to deduct 30% of your solar system cost from your federal taxes through 2032. If you purchase a $20,000 system, you can claim a $6,000 tax credit. Any unused credit can typically be carried forward to future tax years.
3. Do solar panels really increase home value?
Yes, multiple studies show solar panels increase home value by approximately 4.1% on average. A Zillow study found homes with solar panels sell for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar. This means a $500,000 home could see a $20,500 value increase.
4. How long do solar panels typically last?
Most solar panels come with 25-year performance warranties and can continue producing electricity for 30-35 years. While efficiency decreases slightly over time (about 0.5% annually), modern panels typically retain 85-90% of their original output after 25 years.
5. What maintenance do solar panels require?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance - primarily occasional cleaning and annual inspections. Most systems are designed to be self-cleaning by rainfall. Annual maintenance costs typically range from $100-$300 for professional cleaning and monitoring.
6. How does net metering affect solar ROI?
Net metering significantly improves ROI by allowing you to sell excess electricity back to the grid at retail rates. This effectively uses the grid as a "battery," providing credit for surplus production that offsets nighttime and cloudy-day usage.
7. Can I still benefit from solar if I don't have ideal roof conditions?
Yes, while south-facing roofs with minimal shading are ideal, east/west orientations still achieve 80-90% of optimal production. Ground-mounted systems are also an option. Modern inverters can optimize production even with partial shading.
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