Regional solar production
See monthly and annual generation based on a sourced regional PVGIS weather profile. Roof shading reduces estimated solar energy generation.
✳ MORE CLARITY. A LITTLE MORE SUNSHINE.
Free AI Solar Calculator
Calculate estimated solar panel savings, system size and payback with our free AI Solar Calculator. Enter your location, monthly electricity bill and roof shade to estimate solar energy production and installation costs. Compare solar-only and battery storage scenarios using adjustable assumptions. No account required.
Free to use Transparent assumptions No signup
Your solar workspace
Deterministic planning modelLET’S SEE THE POTENTIAL
Sample inputs · USDYour solar estimate.
Projected 25-year net benefit
$26,208
After installation, upkeep & selected financing
$1,494First-year utility savings
57%Demand supplied at home
Suggested system size
5.72 kWSolar panels13 × 440 W
Panel area286 sq ft
Sized to your energy target
Annual production9,670 kWh
26.5 kWh / day on average
Net installed cost$17,160
No incentives assumed
Simple payback13.1 years
Before financing & replacements
Why this system size?
Your inputs imply 9,250 kWh of annual demand. At the selected shade and orientation, the Los Angeles, CA profile provides about 1,691 kWh per installed kW each year. The model targets 100% generation offset, rounds up to whole 440 W panels and caps the result at 27 panels that fit your entered usable roof. Generation offset includes exports; it is different from the share of demand supplied at home.
Monthly energy production
First-year generation · kWh
Monthly kWh values are rounded independently; their sum can differ slightly from the rounded annual total.
View monthly data
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 649 kWh | 680 kWh | 835 kWh | 886 kWh | 916 kWh | 917 kWh | 933 kWh | 937 kWh | 855 kWh | 793 kWh | 671 kWh | 599 kWh |
Where your energy goes
First-year solar generation
Used directly5,319 kWh
Exported4,352 kWh
Average monthly utility bill
$200$75with solar only
Regional planning estimate. Costs and tariffs are editable assumptions. AI bill scanning and rooftop analysis are not connected.
25-year net benefit is cumulative nominal cash flow versus no solar, after upfront cost, incentives, maintenance, replacements and selected financing. Values are not discounted.
THE LONGER VIEW
Your investment over time
$26,208cumulative nominal cash flow at year 25
Nominal cumulative cash flowFirst nonnegative year: 13
Simple payback uses net cost and first-year savings after maintenance. Cumulative break-even is the first nonnegative year-end cash-flow balance; later costs can reverse it.
25-year sensitivity: $5,550 to $50,839
Tests production −15% / +10%, cost +20% / −15%, and price growth ±2 percentage points. This is a scenario range, not a confidence interval.
View yearly cash flow & cost breakdown
Nominal USD; includes upfront payment, maintenance and replacements. Export credits are assumed fully usable. No discounting or tax effects.
panels$2,860
inverter$2,059
installation$12,241
battery$0
| Year | Bill savings | Upkeep | Replacements | Loan payments | Net cash flow | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | — | — | — | — | -$17,160 | -$17,160 |
| 1 | $1,494 | $180 | $0 | $0 | $1,314 | -$15,846 |
| 2 | $1,531 | $184 | $0 | $0 | $1,348 | -$14,498 |
| 3 | $1,569 | $187 | $0 | $0 | $1,382 | -$13,117 |
| 4 | $1,608 | $191 | $0 | $0 | $1,417 | -$11,699 |
| 5 | $1,648 | $195 | $0 | $0 | $1,453 | -$10,246 |
| 6 | $1,689 | $199 | $0 | $0 | $1,490 | -$8,756 |
| 7 | $1,731 | $203 | $0 | $0 | $1,528 | -$7,227 |
| 8 | $1,774 | $207 | $0 | $0 | $1,567 | -$5,660 |
| 9 | $1,818 | $211 | $0 | $0 | $1,607 | -$4,053 |
| 10 | $1,863 | $215 | $0 | $0 | $1,648 | -$2,404 |
| 11 | $1,910 | $219 | $0 | $0 | $1,690 | -$714 |
| 12 | $1,957 | $224 | $1,800 | $0 | -$67 | -$781 |
| 13 | $2,006 | $228 | $0 | $0 | $1,777 | $997 |
| 14 | $2,056 | $233 | $0 | $0 | $1,823 | $2,819 |
| 15 | $2,107 | $238 | $0 | $0 | $1,869 | $4,689 |
| 16 | $2,159 | $242 | $0 | $0 | $1,917 | $6,605 |
| 17 | $2,213 | $247 | $0 | $0 | $1,966 | $8,571 |
| 18 | $2,268 | $252 | $0 | $0 | $2,016 | $10,587 |
| 19 | $2,324 | $257 | $0 | $0 | $2,067 | $12,653 |
| 20 | $2,382 | $262 | $0 | $0 | $2,120 | $14,773 |
| 21 | $2,441 | $267 | $0 | $0 | $2,173 | $16,947 |
| 22 | $2,502 | $273 | $0 | $0 | $2,229 | $19,175 |
| 23 | $2,564 | $278 | $0 | $0 | $2,286 | $21,461 |
| 24 | $2,627 | $284 | $0 | $0 | $2,344 | $23,804 |
| 25 | $2,693 | $290 | $0 | $0 | $2,403 | $26,208 |
A CLEARER COMPARISON
Compare your options
The same home. Three possible paths.
| Year-one estimates | No solar | Solar only | Solar + battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $0 | $17,160 | $28,160 |
| Net upfront payment | $0 | $17,160 | $28,160 |
| Utility bill / month | $200 | $75 | $24 |
| Loan / month | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 25-year net benefit | $0 | $26,208 | $29,620 |
| Simple payback | — | 13.1 yr | 14.6 yr |
| Usable storage | — | — | 12.2 kWh |
Storage shifts surplus into home use. Backup capability depends on equipment and an installer’s design.
1.9 tonnes CO₂ / yearIllustrative avoided imports at 0.35 kg CO₂/kWh. Edit your local factor below. Exports and lifecycle emissions excluded.
Make the estimate your ownElectricity rates, roof space, panels, batteries & financingAdvanced settings
Your estimate, updated live
Changes appear here as you edit. All amounts are USD.
System size5.72 kW13 panels · 9,670 kWh/year
Utility savings / year$1,494$75 / month utility bill
Net installed cost$17,160Solar only · Cash purchase
25-year net benefitAfter costs & selected financing
Explore a what-if:
kg CO₂/kWh
The 0.35 default is illustrative, not a verified regional emissions factor.
Avoided imports: 1.9 tonnes CO₂/year with this factor.
days
Energy-only battery sizing: 62.6 kWh nameplate. Not an off-grid design or backup guarantee.
Your estimate updates automatically. Review the complete charts and assumptions above when you’re ready.
Prices are editable planning assumptions dated October 14, 2026, not a market price survey. Federal incentives are not applied automatically. Verify current IRS rules and local eligibility.
Calculation assumptions & sources
Calculation assumptions & sources
Energy production uses cached European Commission PVGIS 5.3 regional profiles retrieved 2026-10-14. Current profile: Los Angeles, CA, PVGIS-ERA5, weather years 2005–2023. Baseline: 1 kW crystalline silicon, building-integrated, south-facing, 25° tilt and 14% system-loss input. View this profile’s source response.
- Monthly AC generation is scaled linearly by installed kW, then multiplied by your shade and orientation assumptions. This is not a fresh roof simulation. Monthly demand follows days per month.
- Shade multipliers are heuristic assumptions: no shade 1.00, partial 0.85, heavy 0.65, unsure 0.80. They are not measured shading data. ZIP and GPS choose the nearest of 12 profiles; regional distance can be large.
- Direct self-use is capped by monthly demand. Storage charges from remaining surplus and discharges at the entered efficiency, limited to one usable capacity cycle per day. Hourly dispatch, demand and time-of-use tariffs are excluded. Fixed charges remain; export credits are assumed fully usable.
- Costs use editable inputs. Maintenance rises 2% annually. The inverter is replaced in year 12. Battery capacity fades 2% annually. Replacement costs 70% of the initial battery cost in year 13; restored capacity begins in year 14.
- Simple payback uses net cost divided by first-year savings after maintenance. Cash flow subtracts the selected cash/loan payments and replacements. Loan incentives are assumed available at purchase; actual timing and tax effects are excluded. No discounting, opportunity costs, property value or roof repair is modeled.
- Generation ranges and cash-flow sensitivities are scenario tests, not confidence intervals. All estimates require confirmation with an installer and your utility.
AI availability: no LLM, bill scanning, quote extraction or satellite rooftop service is connected. All recommendations are deterministic explanations of the displayed model.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTERWhy Choose AISolarCalculator.online
Why Choose AISolarCalculator.online
for Solar Savings Estimates?
A solar savings calculator connects your electricity use, regional generation and installation costs so you can see how the assumptions change your results.
A system sized to your home
AISolarCalculator.online estimates solar panel system size using household electricity demand and regional energy production. Available roof area caps the panel count.
Savings that account for exports
Electricity rates and export compensation affect projected solar savings. The model values home consumption and exports separately; fixed utility charges remain.
Solar and battery comparison
AI Solar Calculator compares solar-only and battery storage scenarios to show how estimated costs and electricity savings change with capacity, usable share and efficiency.
Long-term financial modeling
Explore 25 years of nominal cash flow with adjustable electricity prices, degradation, maintenance, equipment replacement and financing. Values are not discounted to the present.
Reports you can keep
Download a PDF estimate or a cash-flow CSV. Share a link containing your assumptions without creating an account.
FROM WHAT-IF TO WHAT’S NEXT
How Our AI Solar Calculator Works
Turn a few household details into a solar plan you can inspect, adjust and discuss with an installer.
Tell us about your home
Choose a regional weather profile, enter your monthly electricity bill or kWh usage and select an assumed roof shade level.
Fine-tune your assumptions
Set electricity rates, usable roof area and installation costs. Advanced settings define the equipment and financial assumptions for battery or loan comparisons.
Calculate your solar savings
Review suggested system size, energy production, savings and payback. The deterministic model updates results when you change an assumption.
Compare and keep your results
Compare scenarios, inspect cash flow, share your assumptions or download a report to discuss with a qualified local installer.
Change one assumption and see the difference. Your inputs stay editable.
BUILT AROUND YOUR NEXT DECISIONSolar planning for
Solar planning for
real-life decisions
Use the same model to explore a first installation, a changing household or a different way to pay.
A first solar installation
Homeowners can estimate a starting system size and understand the inputs to check before requesting installation quotes.
A battery upgrade
Households can compare storage costs with additional self-consumption and weigh the modeled savings against backup needs.
An electric vehicle at home
Future EV owners can add annual charging demand and see how their panel count and production needs change.
A solar budget check
Budget planners can compare cash with a loan, test installation prices and review cumulative cash flow before committing.
A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about the calculator, your estimate and what to check next.
Getting started
What is the AI Solar Calculator?
The AI Solar Calculator estimates residential solar panel size, production, costs and savings from your electricity use and selected regional weather profile. This release uses deterministic energy and financial models. AI bill scanning, chat and satellite roof analysis are not connected.
How do I calculate my solar savings?
Choose a regional profile, enter your average monthly electricity bill and select a shade level. AISolarCalculator.online estimates system capacity and savings using the displayed assumptions. Then check your actual electricity rate, export tariff, roof area and installation cost in the advanced settings.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The calculator runs in a web browser. You can review the explanations without JavaScript, but interactive estimates, downloads and sharing require JavaScript. A modern desktop or mobile browser is sufficient.
Do I need an account?
No. AISolarCalculator.online does not require registration, an email address or a phone number to calculate results, compare scenarios or download a report. Enter only the information you are comfortable including in an estimate.
Features & outputs
What information can I enter?
You can enter a monthly electricity bill or monthly kWh consumption, choose a regional profile and set shading. Optional inputs include retail and export rates, usable roof area, panel specifications, installation costs, battery settings, loan terms, maintenance and a verified incentive amount. All money values are USD.
How many solar panels do I need?
Panel count depends on annual electricity demand, regional production per kW, shading, orientation, your offset target and panel wattage. AISolarCalculator.online rounds up to whole panels, then limits the result by usable roof area. The result is a planning configuration, not an electrical or structural design.
Can I download or share my estimate?
Yes. AISolarCalculator.online lets you download a PDF report containing results, assumptions, monthly production and cash flow, or export the cash-flow table as CSV. Share estimate copies a link with encoded assumptions in its URL fragment. Anyone with that link can read those assumptions; the link is not encrypted.
Can I change the assumptions after calculating?
Yes. Advanced settings remain editable and results update as you change them. AISolarCalculator.online also offers EV demand and electricity-price scenarios. These controls apply explicit changes to the model; they are not a conversational AI service.
Does the calculator compare solar with a battery?
Yes. The comparison shows no solar, solar only and solar with storage for the same household demand. Storage shifts some modeled surplus into home consumption, subject to usable capacity and round-trip efficiency. Monthly energy balancing is an approximation and does not model hourly tariffs or actual outages.
Can I use the solar panel calculator on mobile?
Yes. The form, results, charts and disclosures adapt to smaller screens. Monthly production also has a text table, and native controls support keyboard navigation. Your estimate uses the same deterministic model on desktop and mobile.
Can I compare panel configurations and financing?
Yes. Choose a generic panel preset or enter wattage, area and module cost to compare count and space. Switch between cash and a fixed-rate amortizing loan to review monthly payments and cash flow. Presets are illustrative configurations, not manufacturer recommendations or real installer quotes.
Method & accuracy
How does the solar energy production model work?
The calculator scales a cached PVGIS 5.3 monthly AC profile for a 1 kW, south-facing, building-integrated system at 25-degree tilt with 14% baseline losses. Editable shade and orientation multipliers adjust that regional profile. This linear scaling is a simplified planning model, not a fresh simulation for your property. Monthly and annual displays are rounded independently, so displayed monthly values may not sum exactly to the annual figure.
How accurate are the solar savings estimates?
The arithmetic is deterministic, but the forecast depends on assumptions. The displayed sensitivity range tests lower production and higher installation costs, and the reverse. It is not a statistical confidence interval. Roof surveys, hourly usage, actual quotes and utility tariff rules can materially change the outcome.
Does AISolarCalculator.online use artificial intelligence?
No AI model is connected in this release. AISolarCalculator.online uses deterministic calculations and rule-based explanations. Bill OCR, satellite rooftop analysis, automated quote extraction and conversational AI are future integrations. The AI Solar Calculator name describes the project; it should not be read as a claim that these services are active.
What affects solar payback and cash flow?
Installation cost, retail and export rates, self-consumption, incentives, maintenance, degradation and financing all affect returns. Simple payback divides net cost by first-year savings after maintenance; it excludes financing and replacements. Cumulative nominal cash flow includes selected financing and replacements. Cumulative break-even is the first nonnegative year-end balance, which can turn negative after later costs. These measures are not discounted net present value.
About this tool
Who can use AISolarCalculator.online?
US homeowners and household budget planners can use the calculator for early solar comparisons. Regional weather profiles cover selected US cities. A ZIP lookup or device location selects the nearest of 12 profiles and shows its distance. That profile may be geographically distant; lookup does not inspect your roof or retrieve satellite data. Address-based property analysis and non-US tariff modeling are not supported.
Are tax credits and local incentives included automatically?
No. The default incentive is zero. Enter only an amount whose eligibility you have verified independently. As checked on October 16, 2026, the IRS says the residential clean-energy credit is unavailable for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Local programs have separate rules and may change.
What happens to the information I enter?
Calculation inputs are held in this browser session; this app does not upload bills or send estimates to an AI provider. Optional ZIP lookup sends the ZIP to Zippopotam.us, and device location requires browser permission. Shared links contain your assumptions. The hosting provider may keep standard request logs.
Is the AI Solar Calculator free?
Yes. This implementation provides calculations, comparisons, sharing and report downloads without a fee or account. AISolarCalculator.online does not collect payments or provide installer quotes. Installation and service prices in the model are editable planning assumptions, not an offer to sell equipment.
Why compare scenarios instead of just the installation price?
A lower installation price does not always produce the lowest lifetime cost. Regional output, export compensation, battery replacement and loan interest can change the result. Comparing the same household across scenarios makes those trade-offs visible, while sensitivity checks show how fragile an estimate may be.
Does solar storage guarantee backup power or off-grid operation?
No. The optional autonomy estimate is an energy-only sizing exercise. Actual backup requires compatible inverters, isolation hardware, sufficient power output and a design for seasonal weather. AISolarCalculator.online does not certify grid independence, emergency runtime, electrical safety or interconnection eligibility.
What is excluded from these estimates?
The model excludes roof repair, structural engineering, permitting surprises, tax effects, hourly tariffs, demand charges, utility credit caps, discount rates and opportunity cost. Export credits are assumed fully usable and cash flows are nominal USD. Estimates are not financial advice, guaranteed savings or a substitute for an installer assessment.
YOUR HOME. YOUR ENERGY. YOUR CALL.
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