Solar Panel’s ROI: When Will You Break Even?
January 8, 2024
Imagine you're considering installing solar panels on your home. You've done some research and know it's a good investment, but you would like to find out how long it will take for you to recoup the money. Let's look at Solar Panel's ROI! This post will show you how to ...
Imagine you’re considering installing solar panels on your home. You’ve done some research and know it’s a good investment, but you would like to find out how long it will take for you to recoup the money. Let’s look at Solar Panel’s ROI!
This post will show you how to calculate the Solar Panel’s ROI with respect to solar panels. Additionally, we will cover things most blog posts do not talk about, such as the factors that affect ROI and other things that should be kept in mind.
How long will it take to have Solar Panel’s ROI?
There is no one answer to this because many factors come into play including size and power of the solar system, cost of installation, available tax incentives and how much your current electricity bill costs.
For instance, solar systems usually recover their initial investments after 7–10 years. However, in some areas with a lot of sunlight, this return can be made even faster.
What affects the return on investment?
The following variables impact whether solar panels will achieve positive return on investment:
- Size and power output: The bigger a photovoltaic panel is, the more electricity it generates, thereby saving you more cash.
- Cost of installation: This amount can vary depending upon who does it, where it takes place or what kind of solar system was used.
- Tax incentives: Some governments offer tax incentives for installing solar systems. These incentives can reduce the cost of installation and therefore accelerate the return on investment.
- Cost of your current electricity bill: The more you pay for your current electricity, the more money you will save with solar.
How can I calculate the return on investment for my solar system?
There are a few ways to calculate the return on investment for solar panels. One simple way is to use the following formula:
Cost of solar system / Annual savings = Payback period
For example, if your solar system costs3 $20,000, and you save $2,000 each year, this means that it would take 10 years to recoup the money spent on the system.
You can alternatively use a solar return on investment calculator. Such calculators are easily accessible online and aid in determining time frames over which an investment in solar energy will pay for itself.
What other tools are available for calculating the return on investment?
There are various tools that can be used in finding out how many returns will be realized from installation of solar panels, This includes:
- Solar return on investment calculator by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Solar return on investment calculator by Solar Energy Industries Association
- Solar return on investment calculator by National Renewable Energy Laboratory
What else must I keep in mind while making the calculations?
With all this factor, let’s not forget some additional considerations one should make when calculating their ROIs for their Solar Panel Systems:
- Maintenance costs: Solar systems require very little maintenance, but there is still a cost associated with cleaning and potential damage.
- Production degradation: The amount of energy produced by a solar panel degrades over time. This loss needs to be taken into consideration while calculating any returns.
- Inflation: Inflation can affect the cost of electricity and therefore the return on investment for your solar system.
Calculating the return on investment for solar panels is important for making an informed decision about installing a solar system. By considering the factors mentioned above, you can accurately estimate how long it will take to recoup your investment.