No federal credit for buyers since 2026

How long until solar pays for itself?

Pick your state. We size a system to your home, price it at the 2026 median, and count the years until the savings pass what you paid.

Your home

State

What you pay for electricity

¢ per kWh

Electricity you use

kWh a month

How your utility credits power you send backFilled in from your state; change it if your utility says otherwise.

The system

System sizeWe suggest one that covers about 90% of your use.

Price per wattThe 2026 median is $2.57.

State or utility rebatesOptional, for panels and battery together (like California's SGIP for batteries).

Battery (optional)

Add a battery?Pays off only where exported power earns much less than the retail rate.

We assume about 90% of the power stored comes back out, the battery fills and empties on about 80% of days, holds 2% less each year, and works for 15 years (the warranty is usually 10). Its power is valued at your evening rate if you enter one, otherwise at your average rate. We don't count payments for letting the utility use your battery, export credits that pay more at certain hours, or backup during outages, so for many homes this is the low end.

Upkeep, if you own it

InverterString inverters usually last 10 to 15 years; replacing one costs about $1,000 to $2,500 installed. Microinverters usually carry 25-year warranties.

With a string inverter we count one replacement around year 12, about $2,000 in today's dollars.

The roof will need replacing in the next 25 yearsRemoving and reinstalling panels for a new roof costs about $200 to $300 per panel, or $1,500 to $6,000 for most homes. We count it around year 15.

Anything else, a yearCleaning or monitoring, if you expect to pay for it.

Assumptions you can change

Electricity prices rise

% a year

Solar power used the moment it's madeMatters only without full net metering.

Panels lose output

% a year

General inflationUsed for "today's dollars" and to grow upkeep costs.

% a year

Choose your state

We fill in your state's average electricity price and use, and suggest a system size.

Why payback got longer in 2026

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy solar ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Without it, the average payback on EnergySage's marketplace rose to 10.9 years in the first half of 2026, and prices edged up to a median of $2.57 per watt. Leases and PPAs still get a business tax credit, which is why many of them now cost less per kWh than buying. Lease, PPA or buy?

Sources: pv magazine: EnergySage marketplace report, H1 2026; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.