Punch in your monthly utility bill to see your system size, payback period, 25-year savings, and environmental impact — tuned for California rates and sun hours.
Enter your monthly electric bill to see your personalized solar savings estimate — it only takes 10 seconds.
Built specifically for California homeowners. We factor in PG&E/SCE rates, NEM 3.0, the 30% federal tax credit, and panel degradation over 25 years.
The single biggest input. Higher bills mean a larger system, more savings, and faster payback. PG&E and SCE customers in California typically see the strongest returns.
We use 5.5 peak sun hours/day as a Central Valley average. Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi homes often produce more; coastal Ventura and SLO produce slightly less.
Under California's net billing tariff, exporting solar earns less than it used to. Batteries let you use your own solar at night and dramatically improve payback.
The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit is applied directly to your federal tax bill the year your system is placed in service. Eligibility varies — confirm with a tax pro.
California has the third-highest residential electricity rates in the country and some of the strongest sun in the world. That combo produces some of the fastest solar payback periods anywhere.
A typical 6–8 kW residential system in Bakersfield or Kern County runs roughly $14,000–$22,000 before the 30% federal tax credit — depending on panel choice, roof complexity, and whether you add a battery.
After the federal credit, net cost typically lands between $10,000 and $15,400 for cash buyers. Financed customers often start saving on day one with $0-down loans.
Yes — but the math is different than it used to be. Under California's net billing tariff, the credit for exporting solar to the grid is much lower than under NEM 2.0.
The new winning move is pairing solar with a home battery so you store daytime production and use it at night — rather than selling it back at reduced rates. Battery-paired systems consistently produce the strongest returns under NEM 3.0.
Three transparent assumptions drive every projection.
Historically PG&E and SCE rates have risen even faster than this — so projections lean conservative.
Modern Tier-1 panels lose about half a percent of output per year, retaining ~88% at year 25.
We don't model usage growth — so actual savings are usually higher if you add an EV, heat pump, or pool.
Beyond the 30% federal tax credit, California homeowners may qualify for:
Rebates for battery storage — especially generous in high-fire-risk Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas.
Solar adds value to your home without triggering a property reassessment.
Pay for your solar system through your property tax bill instead of a traditional loan.
Additional rebates vary by territory and program year — we'll flag which apply to you.
National solar calculators use generic averages. We use Central Valley sun hours, actual PG&E rate schedules, and Kern County permitting realities. If you want a precise number for your home, a free on-site estimate factors in your roof orientation, shading, and panel layout — and we walk you through cash, finance, and battery scenarios side by side.
Or call us: (661) 410-6919
The calculator uses California-specific assumptions — average $0.30/kWh utility rate, 5.5 peak sun hours per day, 4% annual rate inflation, and the 30% federal tax credit — to give a realistic ballpark. Your actual savings depend on your specific roof, shading, panel choice, and the federal/state incentives you personally qualify for. We refine the numbers in your free on-site estimate.
Payback period = total system cost (after the 30% federal tax credit) divided by your annual electricity savings. For most California homeowners with a $200/month bill, payback typically lands between 6 and 9 years. After that, you're producing power for free for the remaining 16+ years of the panel warranty.
Most California homeowners save 70–90% on their electricity bill after going solar. Over 25 years, that often adds up to $40,000–$80,000+ in cumulative savings, especially as utility rates continue to rise (PG&E and SCE rates have increased ~6% annually for the past decade).
Yes — the displayed system cost is the net cost after the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit. Eligibility depends on your tax situation, so confirm with a qualified tax professional. The credit amount and availability for systems placed in service in future years depend on current law.
System size depends on your average monthly usage (in kWh). A typical Bakersfield home with a $200/month PG&E bill needs roughly a 6–8 kW system (15–20 panels). The calculator sizes the system automatically based on your bill input.
Under California's NEM 3.0 net billing tariff, batteries dramatically improve solar economics by letting you use your own stored solar at night instead of selling it back at low export rates. Batteries also keep your home running during PG&E PSPS shutoffs. We recommend storage for most new California systems.