Is Solar Worth It in Your Area?
Calculate your exact savings, payback period, and tax incentives using real data from NREL and EIA.
Why Trust Our Calculator?
Official Government Data
We use real-time data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and EIA utility rates.
Zero AI Hallucinations
Our math engine is deterministic. We don't "guess" your savings; we calculate them based on physics and finance.
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Your calculations happen locally. We don't sell your personal data.
How to Calculate Solar ROI in 2026
Calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) for solar panels involves three main factors:System Cost, Electricity Rates, and Solar Production.
1. System Cost & Incentives
The average cost of solar in the US is roughly $2.85/watt. However, the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to deduct 30% of the installation cost from your federal taxes.
2. Local Electricity Rates
Savings depend heavily on your local utility rate. In states like California or New York, where rates exceed $0.20/kWh, solar pays for itself much faster than in states with cheaper power.