So, I have spent 14 straight hours designing this residential solar power calculator for San Francisco homeowners. I think it’s a lot better tool than many other calculators out there right now and I hope you all get some use out of it whether you live in San Francisco or not. The plan is to create a calculator and a case study from each state in our nation so you can better understand the financials of solar in your area! Notice you need to take a look at your power bills for your average monthly kwh usage, then click to include your installed cost per watt for your system (usually between $8-$10/watt), and finally input the wattage of the panels you plan on putting up there (175-210 is pretty standard). Once you fill those yellow cells in, the output is automatic and will give you out of pocket, net costs, and payback period for a system that will eliminate your entire power bill! In addition to estimating your immediate property value increase, I also calculate the number of panels you’ll need and the square footage of roof space that’ll be required.
Basic assumptions I made were that your roof is flat or southerly facing, you don’t have any shading issues, and the price of electricity will rise at an average rate of 6% per year (which is a relatively conservative estimate). Have fun and I hope this helps! Remember, if this tool gives you some sticker shock, relax. You can finance the remaining cost of your system after tax credits and subsidies. Often the cost of your monthly payments are at parity or even lower than your existing power bill.
Microinverters: A major advancement in solar energy technology »« I Almost Died
where’s the actual calculator?
I wont one of these calculator were can I get one?
Alan
danny james