Solar Calculator: Installation Cost and Savings Estimates

Homeowners interested in solar panels may be apprehensive because of the cost. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), an average 6-kilowatt-hour (KWh) system costs between $16,000 and $21,000. While solar panels can definitely be worth it, it's imperative to determine your home's solar potential before making such a big investment.

We at the Guides Home Team created a solar panel cost calculator that estimates your system costs and provides a detailed look at what a move to renewable energy would look like for you. Get a customized estimate by entering details about your energy usage and house, including its size, layout and roof design. We’ll also provide a snapshot of your long-term solar energy savings.

Use the tool below to get estimates and determine if a move to solar energy is the right investment for your home.

Solar Calculator

How Much Does Solar Cost?

Use the calculator to see how much you could save!

Our solar cost calculator evaluates several factors to determine how much going solar will cost. We’ve provided a breakdown for each factor below.

Despite the cost-saving advantages of solar energy systems, homeowners often hesitate to spend the large amount of money needed to go solar. Customers want to be sure that such a significant initial investment will pay off in the long run.

On average, solar panels pay for themselves in six to 10 years. This is known as the payback period. The time frame will fluctuate depending on your system size, current energy usage and estimated monthly savings.

Our solar calculator will provide your estimated lifetime savings from going solar. This is a 25-year estimate based on the typical lifespan of monocrystalline solar panels, the best type of panels available. You’ll also get estimates for your yearly energy costs with and without a solar system.

You can achieve a faster return on investment (ROI) by using state and federal solar incentives and rebates. These incentives offset the installation costs of your system, leading to a quicker payback period. You can receive additional savings from net-metering programs, which allow you to sell the excess energy you generate back to the power grid. You receive credits for this energy that can be applied to your future utility bills or paid back to you at the end of the calendar year.

We’ve provided the following resources to help with your solar energy conversion:

Tamara Jude is a writer specializing in solar energy and home improvement content. She has a background in journalism and an enthusiasm for research, with more than six years of experience producing and writing content. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts and playing video games.

Dana Getz is a seasoned editor with nearly a decade of experience writing and editing content. She has a background in journalism and worked as a fact-checker for prestigious magazines such as New York and Chicago. She holds a journalism and marketing degree from Northwestern University and has worked across numerous categories within the home services space.