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Solar payback calculator, year by year

Most payback figures use one flat generation number for every year. This tool reduces output slightly each year for panel degradation, so the schedule matches how a real system actually performs.

Last reviewed 26 September 2026Estimates, not a performance guarantee

Your system

Use your net cost after subsidy. Get this from the main calculator if you have not already.

kW
Used for solar yield per kW
₹ per kWh today
₹, after subsidy
%, 0.5% a year is a common manufacturer figure
%, leave at 0 for a conservative estimate

Your payback estimate

Payback yearYear 5
₹5,20,000total savings over the schedule
₹31,600year 1 savings
YearGenerationSavingsCumulativeRecovered

Generation falls 0.5% a year from degradation by default. Savings value every unit at your entered tariff and do not model fixed charges, self-use share or export rules.

Why year-by-year matters

A single average payback number hides two real effects. Panels lose a small amount of output every year, so generation in year 20 is lower than year 1. If electricity tariffs rise, each saved unit becomes worth more in later years. These two effects work against each other, and a flat estimate cannot show which one wins for your numbers.

What is not included

This tool does not model self-use versus export share, seasonal generation swings, fixed monthly charges, financing interest, insurance or a major component replacement such as an inverter. Treat the result as a planning range, and read the full payback period guide for the parts a single calculator cannot capture.