Solar savings calculator

Your state's average residential electricity price from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B, January–July 2026); estimated solar output per kW of panels from EIA's 2024 small-scale solar generation and capacity data for your state; and installed prices of $3.00–$5.20 per watt (20th–80th percentile, 2024) from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Prices are shown before incentives.

We divide your annual bill by your state's price to estimate yearly use, then size the system to cover about 90% of that use, between 2 and 20 kW, and show a ±15% range. East/west roofs are assumed to produce about 15% less than south-facing roofs, north roofs about 35% less, and some or heavy shade reduces output further. These are simple assumptions, not a site assessment.

Estimated payback is the installed cost range divided by an estimated first-year bill offset (the smaller of production and use, times your state's price, ±15%). It ignores financing, rate changes and export credit rules, which vary by utility.

No. Estimates only, based on public data and simple assumptions. Actual production, cost, and savings vary by home, utility, rate plan, and installer. Not a quote, and not a guarantee of savings. For a real quote, SolarMatchup matches you with one local installer.