Solar Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost and savings of installing a solar panel system for your home or business.
Published by:
isCalculator Editorial Team
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How to use this tool?
Follow these steps to estimate your solar savings:
- Enter System Details – Fill in your average monthly electricity bill ($), desired system size (kW), cost per watt ($), and peak sun hours per day.
- Enter Financial Incentives – Provide the federal tax credit percentage (e.g., 26), any state/local incentives ($), and your electricity rate ($/kWh).
- Click "Calculate" – The tool will compute system cost, net cost after incentives, annual savings, payback period, and 25-year net savings.
- Review Results – The output shows key financial metrics. A formula explanation is provided below the results.
Note: All monetary values are in US dollars. System size is in kilowatts (kW). Peak sun hours are a daily average (e.g., 5). The calculator assumes a 0.8 derating factor for real-world production.
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Frequently Asked Questions
As of 2024, the average cost per watt for residential solar panels in the US ranges from $2.50 to $3.50 before incentives.
The calculator uses a simple derating factor of 0.8 to account for system losses. Actual production may vary based on location, shading, and panel efficiency.
No, this calculator estimates only the solar panel system cost. Battery storage is not included.
