Plug-In Solar Savings Calculator

Choose your region, panel size, mounting and electricity price. The calculator estimates yearly production, savings, payback time and your net gain after 10 years.

Plug-in solar savings calculator

Where do you live?

Sets typical sunshine and a default electricity price.

Total panel wattage (W)

Add up the rated watts of all panels (e.g. 2 × 400 W = 800).

Mounting and direction

Shade during the day

Electricity price per kWh ($)

Check your bill: total charges divided by kWh used.

Share of solar you use yourself (%)

Typical without a battery: 60-85%. With a battery: 85-95%.

Payment for power sent to the grid, per kWh

Usually 0: most plug-in laws exclude net metering.

Kit price, all-in ($)

–kWh produced per year

–saved per year

–payback time

–net gain after 10 years

Estimates only. Yields are typical annual values per kW of panels after normal system losses, based on long-term solar data for each region. Real output depends on your exact site, weather and appliances. Assumes 0.5% panel degradation per year and flat electricity prices.

How the calculator works

It multiplies your panel size by a typical yearly yield for your region (kWh produced per kW of panels, after normal losses), then applies factors for mounting direction and shade. Savings are the share of that energy you use yourself multiplied by your electricity price, plus any payment you get for exported power. Background: solar yield by region.

Getting the inputs right

Electricity price: divide your bill’s total by the kWh used. Delivery charges often make the real price higher than the headline rate.
Self-consumption: 60-85% for most kits without a battery. How to estimate it.
Mounting: most balcony railings are vertical. Angles compared.
Shade: watch your spot for a sunny day. Shade guide.

Limits

These are estimates based on typical years. Real output varies with weather (about ±10% year to year), exact location, panel temperature and equipment. For a precise figure, use PVWatts (US; from the National Laboratory of the Rockies, formerly NREL) or the EU’s PVGIS with your exact address and tilt.