Solar Panel Payback Calculator
Estimate your solar panel payback period, annual savings and 25-year return. Free calculator with federal tax credit, net metering and state incentives.
Runs locally in your browser — no upload, no trackingTry: System size=6, Peak sun hours=5, Performance ratio (0–1)=0.85, Electricity rate=0.17, Installed cost=2.8, Federal ITC=30, State incentive=0, Annual elec. price rise=0.03, Net metering credit (0–1)=0.85 → 9,308 kWh/yr, $1,345/yr, $11,760, 8.7 years, $49,035
How to use
Enter your system size, local peak-sun hours and electricity rate, then press Calculate to see your annual generation, first-year savings, net installed cost after incentives, simple payback period and 25-year total savings. Everything runs locally in your browser.
A typical home system pays itself back in about 6–10 years, then keeps saving for the rest of its 25–30 year life. Try your own state on the pages linked below for numbers tuned to local sun, rates and policy.
FAQ
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves?
With the federal tax credit and typical U.S. rates, a home system often breaks even in 6–10 years, then produces free electricity for another 15–20 years. Sunny, high-rate states break even faster; low-sun, low-rate states take longer.