See the financial return on your solar investment.
Residential solar has become one of the best long-term investments available to homeowners. The US federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) covers 30% of installation costs through 2032. A typical 6 kW system costs $15,000-$18,000 before incentives ($10,500-$12,600 after ITC), produces 7,000-9,000 kWh/year, and saves $1,000-$1,400 annually at average US rates. With electricity rates increasing 3-5% yearly, savings accelerate over time. The payback period in most US states is 6-9 years, with 25-year net savings of $25,000-$50,000. Solar also increases home value by approximately $15,000-$20,000 (NREL study: $4/W of installed capacity). Panel degradation is minimal at 0.5%/year, meaning after 25 years panels still produce ~87% of original output. The levelized cost of solar energy (LCOE) is now $0.03-$0.05/kWh — cheaper than any fossil fuel in most of the world. Adding a home battery (like Tesla Powerwall) provides backup power and maximizes self-consumption but extends payback by 3-5 years.