Solar Payback Calculator (2026)
Real 2026 electricity rates and incentives for all 50 states. No email, no signup, no upsell.
Your next step
Once you have an estimate, the fastest free way to validate it is to get real quotes from local installers.
What the calculator assumes
- System sizes for ~95% bill offset based on your state's average sun hours and your stated bill.
- 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (in effect through 2032).
- State tax credits where applicable (capped at the legal maximum).
- 3% annual electric rate inflation (long-run U.S. average).
- 0.5% annual panel degradation (industry standard for tier-1 panels).
- 25-year system life and 4% discount rate for net present value.
For more, see our methodology page.