Solar Panel Savings Calculator
Enter your electric bill and location details to estimate system size, upfront cost after the federal tax credit, payback period, and 25-year savings.
Your electricity use Free
System & incentive assumptions
Savings over time
| Year | Est. annual utility savings | Cumulative savings | Net position |
|---|
"Net position" is cumulative savings minus your system cost after the tax credit — once it turns positive, the system has paid for itself.
Quick answers
How accurate is this estimate?
This is a simplified planning estimate, not a quote. Real numbers depend on your roof's orientation and shading, local permitting costs, your specific utility's net metering policy (whether they credit you fully for excess power sent back to the grid), equipment choice, and installer pricing in your area. Get 2–3 real quotes before deciding.
What is the federal solar tax credit?
Officially the Residential Clean Energy Credit, it lets you deduct a percentage of your total system cost from your federal taxes owed that year (not a rebate check — it reduces what you owe). Confirm the current percentage and eligibility rules on IRS.gov or with a tax professional, since federal incentive programs can change.
What if I don't own my roof, or I'm renting?
This calculator assumes you own your home and plan to stay long enough to benefit from the payback period. If you rent, or might move soon, a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) works differently — usually lower savings but no upfront cost. Community solar (subscribing to a shared solar farm) is another option if rooftop solar isn't feasible for you.