Is solar worth it for your home?
An honest, hour-by-hour estimate for your address, with every assumption visible and adjustable.
Where is your home?
Enter your street address for the most accurate estimate, or just your ZIP code.
How this calculator works
- Production: we run the National Laboratory of the Rockies' PVWatts model for your exact location, roof direction, tilt and shade, using typical local weather for every hour of the year.
- Your usage: from your bill, yearly kWh, month-by-month numbers, or uploaded hourly data. We shape it into a realistic daily pattern.
- Your bill, hour by hour: we bill every hour with your utility's plan, including time-of-use periods, fixed charges and the credit you get for power you send to the grid, then do the same without solar.
- Every year for 25 years: panel degradation, rate increases, maintenance, inverter and battery replacements, roof work, incentives and financing payments.
- A verdict: we compare the value at the point you expect to move against what you put in, discounting future dollars, and say plainly whether it's worth it.
Read the full methodology, including every data source and default.
Questions
What does this solar calculator include that others don't?
It models every hour of the year: your roof's production from PVWatts, your household's usage pattern, your utility's time-of-use prices and its real rules for exported power. It compares cash, loans with dealer fees, home equity, leases, PPAs and community solar over the years you'll actually live there, and it can tell you solar is not worth it.
Why is the recommended system smaller than my quote?
We test many sizes and pick the one with the best long-term value for you. Where exported power earns much less than you pay for power, extra panels mostly produce cheap exports, so a smaller system often pays off better. Installers are often paid more for bigger systems.
Does the calculator include the federal tax credit?
No, because the 30% residential credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. If the law changes, you can enter a credit in the price and incentives section.
Do you store my address?
No. Your inputs stay in your browser. Your address is sent only to look up public data (location, building outline and solar production) and is not saved.