Free Solar Calculator & Savings Estimator
Enter your state and monthly electric bill to instantly estimate your solar panel cost, savings, payback, and 25-year return. Free to use, and no email required.
Solar Savings Calculator
Instant estimate — no email required
25-Year Cumulative Savings
Updates live as you change state or bill amount
Best Home Energy Monitors (2026)
See where your power goes — whole-home vs. circuit-level monitors compared on detection, solar support, and price.
The free solar estimator built on real local data
Most online solar estimators hide their numbers behind a lead form. This free solar calculator does the opposite: it runs instantly in your browser using your state's electricity rate, local sun hours, current installed cost per watt, and the incentives available where you live. Want a closer look at the underlying numbers? Browse solar panel cost by state or check solar incentives and rebates in your state.
How Solar Works
☀️ Solar Panel Basics
Solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity. An inverter converts it to AC for your home. Excess power feeds back to the grid via net metering, earning you credits.
💰 What Affects Your Payback?
Key factors: your local electricity rate, peak sun hours, system size, installer pricing, and available incentives. States with high rates + good sun have the shortest payback periods.
🏛️ Federal Tax Credit (Expired for Purchases)
The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit ended December 31, 2025. Cash and loan buyers in 2026 can no longer claim it. Solar leases and PPAs still pass through a federal credit through 2027 — the installer claims it and lowers your payments.
🔋 Net Metering
Net metering credits you for surplus solar electricity fed to the grid. Full retail net metering (the best policy) credits you at the same rate you pay. Some states offer lower avoided-cost rates.
Free Solar Calculator FAQ
Is this solar calculator really free?
Yes. Our solar calculator and savings estimator are 100% free — no email, phone number, or sign-up required. Enter your state and average monthly electric bill and you get an instant estimate.
Do I have to enter my email or phone number?
No. Unlike most solar estimators, ours runs entirely in your browser and asks for nothing personal. You only share your details later if you choose to request quotes from installers.
How accurate is the solar estimator?
It uses real, state-by-state data — your local electricity rate, peak sun hours, current installed cost per watt, and available state and utility incentives. It is a solid planning estimate; a licensed installer confirms exact numbers with a roof assessment.
What information do I need to use it?
Just two things: your state (or city, for more precise numbers) and your average monthly electricity bill. The calculator sizes a system to your usage and estimates cost, annual savings, payback, and 25-year return.
Does the calculator include the federal solar tax credit?
The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit expired December 31, 2025 for cash and loan purchases, so our 2026 estimates do not assume it for buyers. The calculator instead reflects the state and utility rebates that are actually available in your area today.
How does the solar calculator estimate my savings?
It combines your state electricity rate, local peak sun hours, a right-sized system for your usage, current installer pricing, and available incentives to project your annual bill savings, net cost, payback period, and 25-year savings.