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Solar Cash-Flow NPV and Payback Calculator

Evaluate dated annual solar cash flows or an explicit escalation scenario, including replacements, discounting and recovery that can reverse later.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
Upfront cash cost, Verified upfront receipts, Annual discount rate (%), Annual cash-flow ledger, and 9 more
Output to expect
Dated solar cash flows and NPV, Solar cash-flow scenario
  • Check the units and required inputs before comparing results.
  • Keep the assumptions with a copied result so you can reproduce the calculation later.
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Reference & details

How it works

Dated solar cash flows and NPV

Model every year of a solar proposal, including self-use value, export receipts, actual incentives, maintenance, replacements and other cash costs. Review both initial recovery and whether it survives later costs.

Year net flow = avoided imports + export receipts + other receipts − operating costs − replacements − other costs; NPV = −net initial outlay + Σ year net flow/(1 + discount rate)^year.

Solar cash-flow scenario

Project an explicit change in annual bill benefits and recurring costs, then include a stated replacement year and end-of-horizon receipt. These assumptions can be varied without inventing utility rates or incentive eligibility.

Benefit_y = year-one benefit × (1 + benefit change)^(y−1); cost_y = year-one cost × (1 + cost change)^(y−1). Add the entered replacement and final receipt in their stated years.

Updated: September 2026

Example Scenarios

Try this example to see the calculation, then enter actual documented values and preserve the measurement conditions. A failed or unresolved comparison is part of the record.

→ $169.25 net present value

Try this example to see the calculation, then enter actual documented values and preserve the measurement conditions. A failed or unresolved comparison is part of the record.

→ $4,846.03 net present value

FAQ

Model every year of a solar proposal, including self-use value, export receipts, actual incentives, maintenance, replacements and other cash costs. Review both initial recovery and whether it survives later costs. Project an explicit change in annual bill benefits and recurring costs, then include a stated replacement year and end-of-horizon receipt. These assumptions can be varied without inventing utility rates or incentive eligibility.

Use the exact equipment data, measurement point, operating conditions and units described in the selected mode. Record source documents, dates and unresolved conditions in Sources and assumptions. Built-in examples illustrate arithmetic; they are not manufacturer ratings or approved designs.

Use Save planning case for an explicit local history entry. Copy MD keeps current inputs and notes; Download CSV exports the result breakdown. Export portable copies before clearing storage and save a separate case after changing equipment, conditions or measurements.

About Solar Cash-Flow NPV and Payback Calculator

Model every year of a solar proposal, including self-use value, export receipts, actual incentives, maintenance, replacements and other cash costs. Review both initial recovery and whether it survives later costs. Project an explicit change in annual bill benefits and recurring costs, then include a stated replacement year and end-of-horizon receipt. These assumptions can be varied without inventing utility rates or incentive eligibility.