Solar Panel Cost and Savings Calculator

Updated: September 8, 2021

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

Enter your home details

(Choose one)

Loan option

Cash option

 

ShowHide advanced options

(Choose one)

I want backup power when the utility grid is down

I want a system that pays itself back quickest

(Optional)

I’m planning on buying an electric vehicle

(Enter your address to continue)

Your Results

System & savings details

Estimated calculations based on roof assumptions

Number of solar panels needed

?
This assumes 370 W panels

{{ panelsNeeded }}

Recommended system size

{{ results.analysisData.assumptions.systemSizeInKw }} kW

Payback period

?
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.

{{ paybackPeriodInWords }}

25 year net savings

?
This is all savings and incentive value minus the cost of the system.

${{ numberWithCommas(lifetimeNetSavings) }}

Savings from incentives & tax credits

  • {{ incentive.name }}: ${{ numberWithCommas(incentive.amount) }}

Monthly Electric Bill Comparison

Solar production vs. Usage

Offset of energy usage with solar

Battery backup details

Estimated batteries needed for backup power

Battery type

{{ batteryMetrics.name }}

Total battery capacity

{{ batteryMetrics.totalCapacityInKw }} kW

Batteries needed

?
We are assuming that all selected appliances will start up at the same time and run continuously. It's unlikely that you will use your backup batteries in this manner, but this allows us to plan for the high end of what you need.

Maximum instantaneous power draw

{{ batteryMetrics.maximumDrawInKw }} kW

Estimated additional cost to install

${{ numberWithCommas(batteryMetrics.cost) }}

Minimum backup hours

?
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.

{{ batteryMetrics.backupHours }} hours
Cost to charge your EV

What you could save with an EV

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

Without Home Solar

${{ costPerMile.noSolarEv }} per mile

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

With Home Solar

${{ costPerMile.solarEv }} per mile

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

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.

Compare local prices

{{ inputs.mainInputs.loanOption ? 'Range of monthly loan payment' : 'System cost range' }}

{{ costRange }}

Solar companies available nearby

{{ numberOfCompanies }}
Adjust Hide Assumptions

Assumptions

Production
Savings
Cost

Use median cost of local system prices

or

Define my own system cost

${{ roundedNumberWithCommas(costPerWatt * systemSizeInKw * 1000) }}
Financing
Batteries
 
Appliances you would want to power

{{ appliance.name }}
Zip Code

{{ inputs.mainInputs.zipCode }}

Monthly bill

${{ inputs.mainInputs.monthlyBill }}

Desired offset

{{ inputs.mainInputs.targetUsageOffset }}%

Backup power

{{ inputs.mainInputs.batteryOption ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}

Payment

{{ inputs.mainInputs.loanOption ? 'Loan' : 'Cash' }}

EV Option

{{ inputs.mainInputs.electricVehicleOption ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}

Reset

Loading Calculator

{{ loadingMessage }}

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

{{ loadingTip }}