Suncipher

Solar ROI Calculator

For when you already have a system quote — see your break-even year and 25-year return, not just savings.

This models solar-specific ROI (panel degradation, rising utility rates). Evaluating a battery, heat pump, or other upgrade instead? See the general-purpose ROI Calculator.
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. Only check the box below if you're modeling a system that was already installed in 2025.
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.
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Don't have this number yet? Try the Solar Savings Calculator first.

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3% is a conservative long-run default.

Enter your numbers to see your investment return.

How this calculator works

Starts from your known system cost. 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. Then projects 25 years of savings assuming 0.5%/year panel degradation and your chosen utility rate inflation.

Break-even year is the first year cumulative savings exceed your net system cost.

Source: IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit; EIA historical rate trends, last updated 2026-07-10.