Do I need to worry about solar panel maintenance costs?

Not really. Solar panels have no moving parts and typically come with a 25-year warranty. Maintenance is usually limited to a simple water rinse once or twice a year to remove dust or pollen.

FREE SOLAR ROI CALCULATOR | Is SOLAR Worth It In 2026?

Q: Is the 30% Federal Tax Credit still a thing in 2026?

Yes! The Residential Clean Energy Credit is locked in at 30% through 2032. For a $12,000 system, you'll receive a $3,600 credit on your federal taxes, significantly speeding up your ROI.

Q: Is solar really a better investment than the stock market?

Solar provides a guaranteed, tax-free return on your property. Unlike the volatile stock market, solar locks in your energy costs against rising utility rates, often outperforming traditional 10% market returns when tax savings are factored in.

Last Update: JAN 12, 2026

This Solar ROI Calculator uses latest(2026) tax credit rules. You can find your exact payback period and 25-years savings.

Calculate Solar ROI

State:

System Size (kW):

System Cost ($):

Electricity Rate ($/kWh):

Avg. Sun Hours per Day

Result

Total System Cost $15,000

Federal Tax Credit (30%) $5,000

Net Cost After Tax Credit $11,970

Annual Energy Production 10,950 kWh

First Year Saving $1,533

Payback Period 5 years

25-Years Total Savings $25,000

Return on Investment (ROI) 200%

What a Solar ROI calculator Typically Does?

The calculator uses your details on basis of input to provide clear results, including:

Total System Cost: This is the amount you could save over 20 or 25 years. Most of solar panel last between 20 and 25 years and also solar panel have warranty over 15-25 years (depend on solar provider company).

Payback period: This tell you how many years it takes for your saving on electricity bills to cover your investment on solar. This typically ranges between 7-10 years.

Return On Investment (ROI): This percentage indicates your average annual return. This is comparable to mutual funds or fixed deposit, and also you get nearly free elctricity after payback period.

Quick Example of How It Works

Imagine in New-York (decent sunlight)

You install a 5kW solar system costing ~$13,000-$14,000 (around $2.78 - $3.00 per watt).
Your monthly bill drops by $150-$300+.(A 5kW solar system produce ~ 6000-7000kWh per year and electricity rate in New York about ~23-27¢/kWh up to 31¢/kWh.
Payback might take 7-10 years.
After payback -> almost free electricity for the next 15-20+ years.
Total ROI could be 8-15% per year (or more in high rate area).

How To Calculate SOLAR ROI?

To calculate the Return On Investment (ROI) for solar panels, you need to compare your money which is saved on electricity bills over the solar panel's life against investment.

Formula for Solar ROI :

ROI% = (Net Profit/Total Investment) x 100

Where:

Net Profit: Your total electricity saving investment for solar system.
Total Investment: The final cost of solar system after applying tax credits and rebates.

What is Solar Payback Period?

Like ROI tells about percentage returns, the Solar Payback Period tells you to time of cover your investment in solar system.

For example, if your system costs $10,000 and saves you $1,000 per year then your solar payback period is 10 years.

FAQ

Is The 30% Federal Tax Credit Still A Thing in 2026?

Absolutely! The Residential Clean Energy Credit is locked in at 30% through 2032. This means if your system costs $ 12,000, you got a $3600 credit on federal taxes.

Is Solar Really a Better Investment Than the Stock Market?

It’s a different kind of win. While the stock market might average a 10% return, it’s also a total roller coaster. Solar, on the other hand, is a "guaranteed" return on your own property. Think about it: electricity rates go up every single year, but your solar cost stays locked in. Plus, the money you save on your utility bill is tax-free savings, whereas you have to pay capital gains tax on stock market profits. For many homeowners, solar is the safer, more predictable bet.

Do I Need To Worry About Maintenance Cost Of Solar Panels?

Honestly? Not really. One of the best things about solar panels is that they don’t have moving parts, means they are not going to break. Most Tier-1 panels come with a 25-year warranty, so you're covered for the long haul. At most, you might need to spray them down with a garden hose once or twice a year if it hasn't rained lately—just to clear off dust or pollen. Aside from that, it’s a "set it and forget it" investment that keeps on saving you money without hidden upkeep fees.