See how many years until your solar system pays back, and your net savings over 25 years — after the tax credit and rising electricity prices. ✓ 2026 credit
Break-even • 25-yr savings
Solar pays for itself when your cumulative electricity savings exceed the net system cost. After the federal tax credit (and any state incentives), a typical system nets out to its sticker price minus 30% or so. Each year the panels offset most of your electric bill — and because utility prices tend to rise ~3% a year, those savings grow over time.
Most US homeowners see a payback of 7–12 years, after which the electricity is essentially free for the panels' 25+ year life. Note the residential solar credit is phasing down after 2025–2026, so the timing of your install affects the credit you receive. This is an estimate excluding financing, maintenance and resale value.