Estimates, clearly labeled
The savings calculator that shows its work
Four inputs, and every assumption printed next to the answer. This is an estimate, not a quote or a promise. A real number needs a site assessment with a measured roof, a shade study and your actual rate plan. If your roof doesn't pencil, we'll say so right here.
Your estimate worksheet
"Net position" means 25 years of estimated bill savings minus the gross system cost, before any incentive programs.
Assumed for this result
- Electricity rate
- …
- Usage
- …
- Sun hours
- …
- Roof and shade
- …
What this number is, and isn't
It's an estimate, and no payback is guaranteed. A real quote needs a site assessment: roof measurements, an instrument shade study, 12 months of usage, and your utility's actual rate plan. We've assumed $0 from tax credits or rebates. You may qualify for some, but rules change often, so check current rules; we verify what applies to you and show each one as its own line item. Book the free assessment.
The fine print, in large print
Every assumption in the math above
- 01 Electricity rate: $0.14 per kWh, rising 2.5% a year. Your real rate will differ, so check your bill.
- 02 Usage: worked out from your monthly bill at that rate (bill divided by $0.14). At the assessment, 12 months of your real usage replace this guess.
- 03 Sun: 4.5 to 5.3 peak sun hours a day, depending on region. After normal system losses (about 20% for heat, wiring and the inverter), that's 1,300 to 1,550 kWh a year for each kW of panels.
- 04 Installed cost: $2.60 to $3.10 per watt, gross, before any incentive programs.
- 05 Credits: energy you send to the grid is credited at about 90% of retail on average. Utilities rarely pay full retail for every exported kWh.
- 06 Wear: panel output drops about 0.5% a year (a standard manufacturer curve).
- 07 Size: the system covers about 90% of your yearly usage. Building bigger mostly pads the invoice.
- 08 Incentives: $0 assumed. You may qualify for tax credits, rebates or utility programs, but the rules change often. Check current rules; we verify what applies to your address and list each one in your quote.
- 09 Payback is an estimate, never a guarantee. A real number needs a site assessment: roof measurements, a shade study, your last 12 months of usage, and your utility's actual rate plan.
No pressure, literally
Want the real number instead?
The free site assessment takes about 90 minutes and ends with a fixed, line-item quote, or an honest 'this roof isn't worth it.' Both outcomes are free.
Prefer a human? Call (970) 555-0134 during office hours. We never cold-call.