Solar Savings Calculator

Uses your actual bill and utility rate — not a national average — and shows every assumption behind the number.

Heads up: the 30% federal solar tax credit expired for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. This calculator defaults to no federal credit. Estimates are for general planning only, not a quote — actual costs vary by installer, roof, and local permitting.

This tool provides a planning estimate based on the assumptions shown below the results — it is not a quote, and actual costs and savings will vary by installer, local rates, and your specific home.

Your state

Sets your utility rate and sun hours below to your state's average (EIA, April 2026) — edit either field if you know your actual numbers.

This system was placed in service on or before Dec 31, 2025 (federal credit still applies)

Average monthly electric bill

Your utility rate (per kWh)

Find this on your utility bill — usually labeled "per kWh" or "energy charge."

Peak sun hours per day (your region)

Typically 3.5–4 in the Northeast, 5–6.5 in the Southwest.

Enter your numbers to see a personalized estimate.

How this calculator works

System size is calculated to offset your estimated annual usage (derived from your bill and rate), derated 19.999999999999996% for real-world losses (inverter efficiency, soiling, wiring).

Cost assumes $3/watt, the DOE benchmark midpoint. If you flag the system as a 2025 install, applies the (now-expired) 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit; otherwise assumes no federal credit, since it expired for property placed in service after 2025-12-31. The 25-year projection assumes 0.5%/year panel degradation and does not assume future utility rate increases — a conservative choice that likely understates long-term savings.

Source: DOE SETO Solar Cost Benchmarks; IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit, last updated 2026-07-10.