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Solar payback, with your assumptions.

Use an annual production estimate from PVWatts or an installer quote, then change the rates that actually apply to you.

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Inputs

Use the same currency throughout; this tool does not convert currencies.

Payback estimate

How it works

First-year value is production × [self-use × grid rate + exported energy × export rate], less maintenance. The modeled payback repeats that calculation for 40 years while applying the entered annual degradation.

PVWatts is an NREL/DOE production model, and its own documentation cautions that outputs include assumptions and uncertainty. This calculator does not model financing, incentives, taxes, curtailment, utility fixed charges or future rate changes.

Source: NREL PVWatts · PVWatts technical reference

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