Solar Payback Period Calculator
How many years a solar system takes to pay for itself.
$
$
kWh
$/kWh
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%
How it works
Each year the system saves production × price. Production falls by the degradation rate and the electricity price rises by the escalation rate, so savings are calculated year by year until they equal the net cost (cost minus incentives). If the payback takes more than 40 years the result shows a dash. Example: with the default values, payback period comes to 8.5 years.
FAQ
Is this calculator free?
Yes. No signup is needed and nothing you enter is stored.
Is the result exact?
Results are rounded for display. For financial, medical, or legal decisions, confirm with a professional.
Do my numbers leave my device?
No. The calculation runs in your browser.