Is Solar Worth It?
The Math
| Average system cost (installed) | $12,000 |
| Annual electricity savings | $1,500 |
| Payback period | 8 years |
| Years of free electricity after payback | 17 years |
| 25-year total savings | $25,500 |
| Home value increase | +$15,000-20,000 |
Solar IS worth it if:
- • You own your home
- • Your roof gets good sun (south/west facing)
- • Electricity costs over $0.15/kWh
- • You plan to stay 7+ years
- • Your roof is less than 10 years old
Solar may NOT be worth it if:
- • You rent
- • Heavy shade on roof
- • Electricity is very cheap (under $0.10/kWh)
- • Roof needs replacing soon (do roof first)
- • Moving within 3 years