2026 solar verdict calculator
Start with your usage, state, and roof assumptions. The calculator estimates gross cost, annual savings, and payback before any quote request, then you can decide whether the proposal deserves a deeper review.
No email required
Enter monthly kWh or electric bill. The calculator uses state-level assumptions and shows the math behind the result.
Your estimate
Example resultEstimated system size: 6.8 kW. This is an estimate, not an installer quote.
Confidence
Medium
Planning estimate only — not an installer quote, engineering design, or tax advice.
Payback uses gross system cost before verified incentives, financing fees, batteries, and roof work.
Annual usage: 10,800 kWh
Annual production target: 10,800 kWh
State rate: 34.74 cents/kWh
Export assumption: Partial export credit
Direct solar use: 5,940 kWh
Modeled exports: 4,860 kWh
Panel count view
15-19 panels
Estimate shape
Privacy note: the printable report link stores estimate inputs in the URL, including ZIP and usage or bill values. Keep it private if those details are sensitive.
Local scenarios
Compare a few assumptions without creating an account.
Saved scenarios stay in this browser only and may include ZIP, bill, and usage inputs. SolarCalcNow does not sync them or send those values to analytics.
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Confidence drivers
Expected production: 10,800 kWh
System loss: 14%
Export value: Partial export credit
Direct solar use: 5,940 kWh
Modeled exports: 4,860 kWh
State production default: 1,595 kWh/kW/year
EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — June 2026 - 2026-09-04
NLR PVWatts V8 · author-selected reference point - 2026-09-04
EnergySage marketplace + SolarCalcNow cost scenario - 2026-09-04
Production evidence: California has a saved full PVWatts response; eight states have successful API yields recorded to two decimals. Colorado, Illinois and Pennsylvania retain explicit author assumptions. The download distinguishes these evidence levels.
$0.3474/kWh
34.74 ¢/kWh
EIA Table 5.6.A, June 2026 residential column; published August 26, 2026. Divide the published cents/kWh by 100. This preliminary statewide average is a fallback, not your utility tariff. Use your bill's energy-only rate; fixed charges remain payable.
1,595.2 kWh/kW/year
kWh/kW/year
PVWatts V8 typical-weather model at an author-selected reference point in the state: 4 kW DC, roof mount, 20° tilt, 180° azimuth, 14% system losses. Annual AC kWh ÷ 4 gives kWh/kW/year. Losses are already included and are not deducted again. Neither a statewide average nor a ZIP or roof survey. Shade and ±10% production bounds are separate author scenarios.
$1.98–$2.98/W
$2.48/W × 0.8…1.2
EnergySage's state marketplace average, table updated August 28, 2026. We calculate an author-selected range of average × 0.8 to average × 1.2, rounded to cents/W. This ±20% scenario is not an observed price distribution or confidence interval. Cash solar only, before incentives; compare like-for-like local quotes.
SolarCalcNow provides planning estimates only. Results are not installer quotes, engineering designs, tax advice, financing recommendations, or utility interconnection approval.
Optional next step
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Installer quote matching is not active yet. You can still calculate, save, and print your estimate before contacting installers directly.
High electric rates, good sun, usable roof area, long ownership horizon, and a gross $/W quote inside a reasonable range.
Battery bundle, lease/PPA escalator, low export credit, roof work, panel upgrade, or a net-price pitch after assumed incentives.
Heavy shade, short homeownership timeline, very high gross price, major roof replacement, or a quote that cannot explain assumptions.
Shorter payback and higher confidence usually mean the project deserves real quotes and roof-specific design.
Long payback does not always mean no; backup, resilience, or future rate increases may matter, but separate those from simple bill savings.
For a quote that uses a net price after incentives, compare the gross price first and verify every incentive source.
For a lease or PPA, review escalators, transfer terms, buyout rules, and who receives any provider-owned tax benefits.
FAQ
It depends on your gross installed cost, electricity rate, roof condition, shade, export-credit rules, and how long you plan to keep the home. SolarCalcNow starts with gross cost and does not assume an automatic federal homeowner credit in 2026.
Be cautious if the roof needs major work, shade is high, utility rates are low, export credits are weak, you plan to move soon, or the quote relies on unverified incentives.
Start with gross price per watt. Net prices can hide expired credits, assumed rebates, dealer fees, or financing effects. Verify every incentive before treating it as savings.
If the calculator looks promising, compare installer quotes against the same gross-cost assumptions before trusting a sales proposal.