Skip to main content

Payback Comparison

Compare solar-only vs. solar + battery vs. community solar vs. doing nothing — see 25-year costs and savings side by side.

Backed by EIA data~2 min

Your Inputs

667 kWh/mo at $0.27/kWh (CA avg)

Results

Enter your details and click "Compare Options" to see side-by-side results.

This tool compares four energy scenarios over a 25-year horizon. Solar system costs are based on state-average $/W with the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit applied. Battery costs include the ITC as well (per IRA guidelines).

Community solar assumes no upfront cost and a ~10% bill discount, which is typical for most programs. The "do nothing" scenario projects costs assuming a 3% annual electricity rate increase, matching recent historical trends.

All estimates are simplified. Actual results depend on system performance, rate plans, degradation, and maintenance costs.

Was this helpful?