Calculator

Solar Payback & Savings Calculator

By NerdVolt Editorial TeamJune 16, 2026Estimate tool

Accuracy note: The arithmetic on this page is deterministic from your inputs. Solar production, code, utility, incentive, and savings outputs are estimates unless you supply exact equipment specs, tariffs, shade data, and local requirements.

Inputs

Gross system cost ($)Rebates/incentives ($)Annual production (kWh)Self-consumed energy (%)Retail utility rate ($/kWh)Export rate ($/kWh)Annual degradation (%)Annual maintenance ($)Discount rate (%)

Result

How this is calculated

Annual savings = self-consumed kWh × retail rate + exported kWh × export rate − maintenance. Simple payback = net upfront cost ÷ first-year savings. NPV = discounted annual cash flows − net upfront cost.

Sources

EIA: electricity data
DOE: solar savings depend on production, use, rates, and export compensation