Everything you need to know about calculating your solar savings, system size, and payback period
Try Calculator Now →Our advanced solar calculator provides you with accurate, personalized estimates for your solar panel investment. Unlike simple calculators that give generic numbers, our tool considers your specific location, roof characteristics, and energy usage to deliver realistic projections.
Get accurate monthly and yearly savings estimates based on your actual electricity bill and local rates.
Find out exactly how many kilowatts of solar panels you need for optimal energy production.
Discover how long it will take for your solar investment to pay for itself through energy savings.
Factors in your roof size, direction, and shading to provide realistic production estimates.
Getting your solar estimates is simple and takes less than 2 minutes. Just follow these steps:
Input your average monthly electricity bill in dollars. You can find this on your recent utility bills. If it varies by season, use an average of the last 12 months.
Choose your state from the dropdown menu. This helps us calculate accurate savings based on your local electricity rates and sun exposure hours.
Enter the usable roof space in square feet. This should be the area suitable for solar panels (typically south-facing sections without chimneys, vents, or other obstructions).
Select the primary direction your roof faces. South-facing roofs generate the most electricity, while north-facing roofs produce the least.
Indicate how much shade your roof receives from trees, buildings, or other obstructions during peak sun hours (10 AM - 4 PM).
Click "Calculate My Solar Savings" to see your personalized estimates, including monthly savings, system size, and payback period.
The more accurate your input data, the more reliable your solar estimates will be. Take a few extra minutes to measure your roof space and check your recent electricity bills for the most precise calculations.
Our solar calculator uses industry-standard formulas and real-world data to provide accurate estimates. Here's what happens behind the scenes:
The calculator follows these steps to generate your estimates:
1. Energy Analysis: We calculate your current energy consumption based on your monthly bill and local electricity rates.
2. System Sizing: Using your roof space and characteristics, we determine the optimal solar system size for your property.
3. Production Modeling: We estimate how much electricity your system will generate based on local sun exposure, roof direction, and shading factors.
4. Financial Analysis: We calculate your monthly and yearly savings, factoring in system costs, incentives, and financing options.
This represents how much you'll save on your electricity bill each month after installing solar panels. The calculation considers your current energy usage and the amount of electricity your solar system will produce.
Your annual savings multiply monthly savings by 12, accounting for seasonal variations in solar production and energy usage.
Measured in kilowatts (kW), this is the optimal solar system size for your property. It's based on your energy needs, available roof space, and local sun conditions.
This shows how many years it will take for your energy savings to equal your initial solar investment. Most residential solar systems pay for themselves in 6-10 years.
Get your personalized solar estimate in under 2 minutes
Start Calculator →Once you have your solar estimates, here's what to do next:
Get quotes from at least 3 solar installers to compare prices, equipment, and warranties. Our calculator results give you a baseline for evaluating proposals.
Ensure your roof is in good condition and won't need replacement within the next 10-15 years. Solar panels can last 25+ years, so roof preparation is important.
Consider solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements (PPAs) to minimize upfront costs while still benefiting from solar energy.
Research local building codes, HOA requirements, and utility interconnection policies that might affect your solar installation.