Local Cost Calculator

Solar panel ROI calculator

Compare solar panel ROI estimates across 6 US markets, then open city-specific calculators with local ZIP samples, formula details, public data sources, and planning limits. Published planning ranges span $12,600 to $58,400 per project; they are estimates, not a quote.

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Calculators
8
Markets
6
City pages
48

All calculators

Choose a model, then tune the local inputs.

Inputs

Estimate system size, installed cost, bill savings, and simple payback from EIA rates and PVWatts output.

Calculator directory

Open a city-specific calculator page for each model, or stay in the workspace above and switch calculators instantly.

Markets covered

Each market uses city-level public data and sample ZIP codes so the same calculator can adapt to local cost pressure.

Data transparency

Cost ranges are computed from public snapshots: Census city housing and income data, EIA residential electricity prices, PVWatts production, BLS wage baselines, IRS mileage, and Freddie Mac mortgage rates. Advertising benchmarks are kept as context only and never treated as a revenue guarantee.

Data cachePartial refresh

Refreshed Jul 1, 2026

6 of 6 markets fully refreshed

9 of 9 source groups refreshed

Accuracy notes

Partial refresh; 9 of 9 live source groups refreshed; 1 warning.

  • eiaEIA_API_KEY was not provided; used the official EIA monthly HTML table fallback.
Source: LocaliQ 2026 Search Advertising Benchmarks

Published planning estimates by market

$12,600 to $58,400 per project. Prices are in US dollars and use the per-project basis shown below.

Partial snapshot generated July 1, 2026. Refreshed market inputs are combined with stored public benchmark inputs; each source shows its own retrieval date.

Solar panel ROI in Austin, TX

ZIP samples: 78701, 78704, 78745

Low
$26,975
Typical
$32,100
High
$39,800

Per project; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Estimated payback: 11.4-13.2 years

Solar panel ROI in Phoenix, AZ

ZIP samples: 85001, 85016, 85032

Low
$24,275
Typical
$28,900
High
$35,825

Per project; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Estimated payback: 10.2-12.0 years

Solar panel ROI in San Diego, CA

ZIP samples: 92101, 92109, 92130

Low
$12,600
Typical
$15,000
High
$18,600

Per project; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Estimated payback: 5.3-7.1 years

Solar panel ROI in Miami, FL

ZIP samples: 33101, 33131, 33186

Low
$27,375
Typical
$32,600
High
$40,425

Per project; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Estimated payback: 11.6-13.4 years

Solar panel ROI in Denver, CO

ZIP samples: 80202, 80211, 80220

Low
$25,275
Typical
$30,100
High
$37,325

Per project; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Estimated payback: 10.7-12.5 years

Solar panel ROI in Seattle, WA

ZIP samples: 98101, 98103, 98115

Low
$39,575
Typical
$47,100
High
$58,400

Per project; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Estimated payback: 18.6-20.4 years

Assumptions and model basis

  • annual kWh = monthly bill / EIA residential rate x 12; system kW = annual kWh / PVWatts kWh per kW; cost = kW x DOE benchmark $/Wdc x local install factor; payback = net cost / annual bill savings.
  • Local cost index is derived from public housing, rent, and household-income data; it is a cost-pressure proxy, not a contractor bid database.
  • Does not include permit surprises, structural defects, financing points, rebates, taxes beyond listed assumptions, or bid availability.
  • Federal residential clean energy credit: 0% for 2026 new personal-use systems in this MVP.

Coverage limitations

  • It is not an installer quote, financing quote, tax advice, or utility interconnection guarantee.
  • It does not inspect roof shade, panel layout, utility net-metering rules, battery storage, or installer-specific pricing.

Source coverage