Solar Payback Map
Calculator

Calculator

Run your own conservative solar payback scenario.

Adjust the assumptions before you spend time comparing quotes.

Inputs used
System size, installed cost, retail electricity rate, production estimate, and export-credit factor.
Outputs shown
Net cost after federal credit, annual savings, simple payback, and 25-year net estimate.
Best use
Screen quote assumptions before comparing installer proposals or state-level payback rankings.
Not included
Roof shade, financing terms, tax appetite, installer variance, panel selection, and battery sizing.

Solar payback calculator inputs

Use your bill and quote assumptions to test whether the payback still works outside the optimistic case.

Solar payback scenario inputs

Enter quote and bill assumptions to update the payback estimate below.

Use a residential system size between 1 and 20 kW.
Use installed cost from 1 to 8 dollars per watt.
Use a retail electricity rate between 1 and 80 cents per kWh.
Use annual production between 800 and 2200 kWh per kW.
Choose how much exported solar production is worth compared with retail electricity.
System
7 kW at $3.10/W
Bill value
18.0 c/kWh with 1,350 kWh/kW/yr production
Export scenario
Typical conservative
net cost after 30% credit
$15,190
estimated annual savings
$1,446
simple payback
10.5 yrs
25-year net estimate
$18,787

This calculator is a screening estimate. It excludes roof-specific shading, financing, tax appetite, panel selection, and local installer quote variance.