Estimate what a home solar system could cost and save you, based on your electric bill and location. No email required. These are independent estimates to help you sanity-check installer quotes, not a binding offer.
How this calculator works
We size a system to offset your annual electricity use, then estimate cost and savings using public benchmarks. Your usage is derived from your bill and rate (the U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes average residential rates). Production is based on regional peak-sun-hours and a standard 80% performance ratio, the approach used by the NREL PVWatts model. System cost uses your installed price per watt; the U.S. residential average has recently run around 3.00 dollars per watt before incentives.
Important: the 30% federal tax credit ended on 31 December 2025
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (Public Law 119-21, signed 4 July 2025), the Section 25D residential clean energy credit expired for systems installed after 31 December 2025. For a purchased system in 2026, there is no longer a 30% federal credit, so this calculator does not apply one. A third-party-owned system (a lease or PPA) can still benefit indirectly through the Section 48E credit claimed by the leasing company through 2027. State and local incentives may still apply and are not included here. This is general information, not tax advice; confirm your situation with a qualified tax professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar still worth it in 2026 without the tax credit?
It depends on your electricity rate, sun exposure, and system price. Payback periods are longer now that the 30% credit has expired, so the math matters more than before. Higher bills, higher local rates, and sunnier regions still produce attractive returns; low-rate, low-sun situations may not.
How accurate is this estimate?
It is a planning estimate, not a quote. Real costs depend on your roof, equipment, installer, and local rates. Treat the output as a benchmark to compare against itemized quotes.
What is a reasonable payback period?
Many homeowners look for a payback under about 10 to 12 years. Without the federal credit, expect this to be longer in many areas, which is exactly why competitive quotes are worth getting.