Calculator

What could plug-in solar save you?

Estimate how much a kit produces, how much it trims from your monthly bill, and how long it takes to pay off. Every number is yours to change — because your sun, your shade, how much you use during the day, and the kit’s cost all shape the answer. It’s a planning estimate, not a promise.

Desk with a laptop showing abstract energy charts and a compact solar panel

Estimated monthly savings$12

Electricity made per year794 kWh

Time to pay off8.0 years

Kit size: 800 wattsWhat the kit costs (total)Your electricity price ($ per kWh)Hours of good sun per dayElectricity you actually use: 85%Real-world efficiency: 80%

A planning estimate, not a promise. It doesn’t check whether plug-in solar is legal where you live, whether a kit is certified, whether your outlet or mount is suitable, or whether your utility pays for surplus power.

What’s behind the numbers

Electricity price18.83 cents per kWh

The recent U.S. average home electricity price, from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Replace it with your own rate for a truer estimate — your bill lists it.

Typical kit cost$400 to $2,000

The range Solar United Neighbors describes for small plug-in kits up to about 1,200 watts. Remember to add mounting, shipping, and tax to get your real cost.

How we estimate outputSimple planning model

We use a transparent, adjustable estimate rather than a hidden formula. For a location-specific number, the free PVWatts tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the natural next step.

Electricity you actually use85% by default

We only count savings for electricity your home uses or your utility pays for. Surplus power you send back is often worth little or nothing, so this share matters a lot.

This is a savings estimate only. It doesn’t confirm whether plug-in solar is legal where you live, whether a kit is certified, whether your outlet or building is suitable, or whether your utility pays for surplus power. Check those separately before buying.

Sources

Electric Power Monthly: Table 5.3 average retail price of electricityU.S. Energy Information Administration; accessed 2026-07-02
Solar, minus the red tape: plug-in solar could bring affordable energy to millionsSolar United Neighbors; accessed 2026-07-02
PVWatts CalculatorNational Renewable Energy Laboratory; accessed 2026-07-02
What States Need to Know About Plug-In SolarClean Energy States Alliance; accessed 2026-07-02