Solar Savings Calculator
Estimate how much electricity a home solar system may generate, how much of your usage it covers, and its simple payback period.
Solar system and household
Use a local solar estimate or installer quote for the most useful result.
The federal residential clean energy credit is unavailable for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Enter only incentives that apply to your project. IRS guidance
$1,831 saved per year
Savings are capped at your annual usage; exported solar is assigned no value because utility compensation varies.
A 7.2 kW system with 4.5 peak sun hours and 14% losses produces an estimated 10,170.4 kWh per year.
At $0 per kWh, the portion that offsets your own annual use is worth about $1,831 per year. A net cost of $21,000 gives a simple payback of 11.5 years.
A clear first-pass solar estimate
Annual generation multiplies rated DC system capacity by average daily peak sun hours, 365 days, and a loss adjustment. Retail-rate savings apply only to generation that can offset the annual household usage entered.
This simplified model is useful for early comparisons. Roof direction, shade, weather, equipment design, utility tariffs, degradation, financing, and maintenance can materially change an installer-grade estimate.
The default incentive is 0% because the federal residential clean energy credit ended for systems installed after 2025. Check current IRS guidance and enter only incentives available for your project.