Solar & EV Payback Calculator

Estimate your solar panel payback period and compare EV vs gas car total cost of ownership. Free, interactive, no login required.

Solar Inputs

Results

10.1 yrs
Simple Payback Period
Net System Cost
$17,500
Monthly Savings (Year 1)
$144/mo
25-Year Net Savings
$42,875
25-Year ROI
245%

Understanding Solar ROI

Residential solar panels typically pay for themselves in 6–10 years depending on system cost, local electricity rates, and available incentives. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) currently covers 30% of installed cost, and many states offer additional rebates. After the payback period, the electricity your panels generate is essentially free — with most systems lasting 25–30 years.

This calculator accounts for two key factors that affect long-term savings: panel degradation (typically 0.5% per year) and rising electricity prices (historically ~3% per year). Together these mean your savings grow over time even as panel output slowly declines.

EV Total Cost of Ownership

While electric vehicles often carry a higher sticker price, their total cost of ownership is frequently lower than a comparable gas car. EVs cost roughly 3–5¢ per mile in electricity versus 10–15¢ per mile in gasoline, and they require significantly less maintenance — no oil changes, fewer brake replacements (thanks to regenerative braking), and no transmission service.

The federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 can offset much of the upfront price premium. Use the EV vs Gas tab to see exactly when — and whether — the lower running costs make up the price difference for your specific situation.

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