SolarReviews

Solar Panel Cost and Savings Calculator

Updated: December 13, 2022

Using only your zip code and utility company, our solar calculator will provide you with an accurate solar savings analysis.

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System and Savings Details

Number of solar panels needed

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This assumes 400 W panels

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Recommended system size

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Payback period

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Payback period is the time it takes to achieve a positive cashflow (i.e. you make your money back). With a loan your payback period will be instant as there is no out of pocket expense unless your down payment exceeds upfront incentives.
This also includes the cost of batteries. You can remove batteries in the Battery Backup Details section.

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25 year net savings

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This is all savings and incentive value minus the cost of the system.
This also includes the cost of batteries. You can remove batteries in the Battery Backup Details section.

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Savings from incentives

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Incentives are based on your location and utility. The federal solar tax credit is impacted by the cost of batteries. You can remove batteries in the Battery Backup Details section.

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NPV

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Net present value (NPV) is the relative value of expected future returns, compared to an investment with a known rate of return. NPV is expressed as positive or negative dollar amount, adjusted for inflation.
This also includes the cost of batteries. You can remove batteries in the Battery Backup Details section.

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IRR

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Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is a way to look at the potential annual returns from an investment and compare them to other investment returns.
This also includes the cost of batteries. You can remove batteries in the Battery Backup Details section.

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Monthly Electric Bill Comparison

Solar Generation and Usage

Your current Annual Electric Use

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Energy Production from Solar System

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Battery Backup Details

Battery scenarios

Select an approach to sizing your home battery system

Size to store surplus solar energy generated during the day (Most economic battery option)

Adjust solar system size and battery storage capacity to cover overnight electric on a typical day

Run certain appliances for a specific amount of time during grid failure (Redundancy adds expense)

Don't include a battery system in this analysis

Your daily solar generation and usage
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Excess solar generation available to battery

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Average night time electricity usage

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Suggested home battery storage

Suggested size of battery bank

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Suggested home battery storage option Change

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Single battery size

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Batteries needed

Your solar generation never exceeds your usage throughout the day. Therefore, a battery system is not recommended.

Specify your backup requirements

Set backup hours for typical appliances

Show custom appliance

Backup details for additional appliance Hide

Battery system results

Battery model Change

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Total battery capacity

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Batteries needed

Maximum instantaneous power draw

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Minimum backup hours

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You typically cannot have more than 6 of these batteries in the same system. We have limited your backup hours to reflect the battery limit. However, we are assuming that you will be using all selected appliances continuously. In all likelihood your backup hours will be significantly higher than this estimate.

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You haven't specified any appliances to be backed up. Therefore, a battery system is not recommended.

Your solar system does not include a battery.

Cost to charge your EV

Without Home Solar

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We assume 14,000 miles driven per year, gas cost of $3.15 / gallon, and are comparing a Hyundai Kona vs Hyundai Kona EV.

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About ${{ savings.noSolarEv }} saved in first year

With Home Solar

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About ${{ savings.solarEv }} saved in first year
Adjust Hide Assumptions

Assumptions

NEM-3 Proposal

The CPUC has proposed changes that would effect residential solar in California. You can roughly estimate the impact of this proposal below for new, non-low-income residential solar installations.

Assume current NEM-3 proposal is not approved

or

Assume current NEM-3 proposal is approved
Savings
Cost

These options only impact the cost of solar. Batteries are currently included in this analysis. You can remove batteries in the Battery Backup Details section.

Use median cost of local system prices

or

Define my own system cost
Financing

Select your payment option

Cash

Loan
Zip Code

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Monthly Bill

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Roof Direction

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Roof Pitch

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Reset

Compare Local Prices

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Solar companies available nearby

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SolarReviews’ Pre-Screened Solar Pros

SolarReviews has a network of over 700 pre-screened solar pros who will provide an exact price for the system your home needs. They are among the highest-rated solar companies in America. Most are local and family-owned, offering much better customer service than large national solar companies.

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Zillow estimates that installing solar panels on your home will add 4.0% to the value of your home

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