Independent Solar Payback & ROI Calculator
Calculate your exact 30% Federal Tax Credit, annual kWh production, and 25-year utility bill savings. 100% anonymous, zero email gates, zero sales calls.
Solar Payback & Savings Estimator
Calculate exact payback years, 30% Federal ITC tax credit, and 25-year cumulative net utility savings based on your monthly electric bill.
PVWatts & Solar Output Calculator
Powered by NREL solar irradiance data. Calculate annual kWh generation by system kW capacity, roof tilt, and compass orientation.
Solar Battery Storage Payback Calculator
Calculate payback timeline for Tesla Powerwall and Enphase batteries under NEM 3.0 TOU peak rate arbitrage rules.
Solar Panel Count & System Size Calculator
Determine how many 400W solar panels you need for your home based on monthly kWh electric usage and sun hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the solar payback period calculated?
Payback Period = (Gross Solar Installation Cost - 30% Federal IRA Tax Credit - State Rebates) / Annual Electricity Utility Bill Savings. Most US residential systems pay themselves back in 6 to 9 years.
Does the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit apply to battery storage?
Yes. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), standalone residential battery storage systems (such as Tesla Powerwall or Enphase 5P) qualify for the full 30% Federal ITC tax credit.
What is California NEM 3.0 and how does it impact solar payback?
NEM 3.0 reduced utility credit for excess solar exported to the grid by roughly 75%. Pairing solar panels with battery storage under NEM 3.0 allows homeowners to store day solar for night use, preserving a 7-to-9 year payback horizon.