Solar power is all the rage nowadays — you’ve probably heard that you can receive financial compensation or even a free system set-up simply by switching to solar. And solar power is indeed a fantastic environmentally-friendly resource that can help you save money on electricity.
However, the total cost of solar panels can be larger than what meets the eye. Most homeowners can expect to wait several years to see their investment pay off. But why is that, and what can you do to speed things up?
Key Takeaways
- A solar panel payback period is the time it takes for the amount of money solar panels help homeowners save to reach the amount they initially invested in setting up their system.
- Most payback periods are about six to ten years, though some go as high as 15-20.
- Factors like local electricity rates, the size of your system, and personal power usage can impact the duration of the payback period.
What Is a Solar Panel Payback Period?
The time it takes for the amount a homeowner saves from using a solar panel system to equal its initial installation costs is known as their solar panel payback period. Essentially, this is how long it takes for a solar panel system to go from a financial liability to a money-saver.
Once the solar panel payback period ends, the solar panel has paid for itself. And when a homeowner hits this break-even point, any further savings can be considered “free” electricity. As a result, many homeowners are looking for the shortest payback period possible — but shorter doesn’t always mean cheaper.
While it can take time to see changes in your electric bill after investing in a panel system, solar power is a long-term energy solution. If you have the resources to stick it out, you can see not only a full return on investment but a profit.
How Many Years Will It Take for My Solar Panel Installation to Pay for Itself?
Most Americans find that the payback period for a residential solar panel installation falls between six to ten years. It’s possible to have a payback period that falls outside this range, too; some homeowners report waiting up to 15-20 years.
No matter what, the time it takes for a solar panel to begin paying for itself depends on many factors, such as:
- The System’s Initial Cost: Unsurprisingly, the cost of your solar panel system impacts how long it takes to pay things off. The panels alone aren’t the only thing you’ll need to pay for; installation fees and additional equipment are also worth considering.
- Your Energy Usage: The more electricity you use in your home, the more potential for savings you have. Households that use more power will likely find their system pays for itself faster.
- Your Electricity Rates: Since you won’t be reliant on electricity from utility companies, you’ll save even more when rates go up by generating your own power.
- Tax Incentives and Rebates: Many programs exist to hand out tax incentives, rebates, and other financial rewards for households that install solar panels. Taking advantage of these can significantly reduce the initial cost of setting up your panels and help you earn free electricity faster.
Additionally, some utility companies may be able to buy any extra electricity your solar panels generate, which can also help you save some money and shorten your payback period.
Solar leasing is another option for homeowners looking to take advantage of energy savings without committing to such a high upfront cost. It involves working with third-party solar companies that will pay for your panels, solar battery, and other costs like installation or maintenance fees.
In exchange, homeowners pay a monthly bill. Paying off a solar lease can still take up to 20 years, but it all depends on the agreement you sign with the company.
How to Calculate Your Solar Panel Payback Period
It’s best to work with a professional solar installation expert to figure out your payback period. But you can still get a rough idea of what to expect by doing some calculations of your own. Figuring out what your payback period might look like involves understanding factors such as:
- Initial Investment: This includes all the money you’ve spent setting up your solar panel system. It considers the cost of the solar panels, installation fees, maintenance costs, etc.
- Savings: A good way to gauge how much you’ll be saving is by looking at your current electricity usage. Calculate how much electricity your solar panels will produce and compare that to the cost of electricity purchased from the grid. Using past power bills can help you determine how much you’ll save monthly, which you can use to figure out how many months you’ll need to hit your initial investment.
- Incentives: Some governments and municipalities may offer financial incentives, rebates, or tax breaks, for those who install solar panels. These options help reduce the overall cost of solar energy and shorten the payback period. For instance, the federal government offers a solar tax credit that solar panel owners can claim on their federal income taxes. The credit covers a percentage of the cost of a solar PV system paid for by the taxpayer.
With all these details in mind, determine each month’s earnings and compare it to the total you need to reach to break even. If you have $30,000 to pay off, for instance, and you know you’ll save around $200 a month on power, it will take 150 months (or about 12 years) to hit the end of the payback period.
What Will Impact Your Solar Panel Payback Period?
A simpler question might be, “What won’t impact your solar panel payback period?” Everything from your location, the size of your solar panel system, electricity costs near you, and financial incentives can affect how much you pay and how soon.
Generally, the shorter the payback period, the more advantageous it is to bring a solar panel system to your home. But because so many other factors can come into play, the number of years you’ll be paying isn’t the only thing to consider.
It’s also impossible to predict what the future might bring — significant spikes in energy costs, for instance, might help speed things up.
Questions Others Are Asking
Is solar actually worth it?
If you can manage the initial investment, solar energy is definitely worth your while. The installation cost can be high, but it helps to remember that home solar panels can last for 25-30 years or more. Even if your payback period is long, the panels can generate free electricity for many years after they’ve paid for themselves.
Plus, solar is fiscally stable. Your panels will continue to produce the same amount of electricity (barring any weather changes, of course) no matter what the financial atmosphere around you is like. You can consistently save money each month to put toward other things that bring you joy in life.
Are there any cons to solar panels?
Solar energy is great for the planet and homeowners, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its drawbacks. Some potential cons (aside from a lengthy payback period) include:
- Upfront Costs: Solar panel systems are often expensive to install, even with costs decreasing over time. Government incentives can help offset the cost of your system, but the initial investment can still limit some homeowners’ ability to hop on the solar train.
- Inconsistency: Solar panels are less effective when it’s cloudy or rainy, so they’re not as reliable as other clean energy methods. They also can’t generate power at night. Battery storage of solar power can help offset this problem, but it can also add to the cost of the entire setup.
- Solar Installation Needs: Most solar panels need a lot of space for proper installation. If your roof doesn’t receive enough sun, doesn’t sit at the right angle, or is too small, you might be unable to install a system. Plus, if you ever move to a new home, figuring out what to do with your panels can be challenging.
How long can a house run on solar power alone?
Solar power gives you about 20-30 years of reliable energy. And since most solar panels have a lifespan of several decades, you can expect to benefit from your solar energy system for almost as long as you enjoy your home. Depending on your climate, it may be necessary to use alternative methods for power during the winter or rely on the power you’ve stored over time. But the ability to save energy for when you need it most is certainly a perk worth noting.