Solar Payback Calculator
Years to break even on a residential solar install.
Production estimate uses NREL PVWatts averages. 1300 kWh per kW per year is typical for the central US, 1500 for the Southwest, 1100 for the Pacific Northwest. Federal Investment Tax Credit (26 U.S.C. § 25D) is 30 percent for residential systems through 2032.
About
Enter system size, cost per watt, federal credit, state rebate, your kWh production rate, electricity rate, escalation, and panel degradation. The tool walks 25 years and tells you when cumulative savings repay net cost.
How to use
- Enter system size and price per watt.
- Set federal and state incentives.
- Set your production and electric rate.
FAQ
What's the federal credit?+
30 percent through 2032 under the Inflation Reduction Act, dropping to 26 percent in 2033 and 22 percent in 2034.
What's a typical payback?+
8 to 12 years in most US states. Faster in the Southeast and Hawaii where rates are high, slower in the Pacific Northwest where rates are low.