Solar Panel Savings Calculator
Estimate payback period, lifetime savings, and CO₂ avoided for a home solar panel system.
Payback period (years)
7.41
Breakdown
- Savings per year
- 1,620
- Net lifetime savings
- 28,500
- Electricity generated (kWh/yr)
- 10,800
- CO₂ avoided per year (kg)
- 4,320
- Return on investment (%)
- 237.50
Last updated:
FAQ
What is a typical solar payback period?
Most home systems pay for themselves in 6 to 12 years depending on local sunshine, electricity prices, and incentives. After that, the remaining 15+ years of output are essentially free power.
Why enter cost after incentives?
Tax credits, rebates, and feed-in tariffs can cut the sticker price by a third or more. Entering the net figure keeps the payback math honest for your actual situation.
Do panels degrade over time?
Yes — output drops roughly 0.5 percent per year, so a 25-year-old system still produces around 88 percent of its day-one power. This estimate uses a flat savings figure, which is a fair mid-point.
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