Solar Loan & Financing Calculator (2026)
See your monthly payment, total interest, and whether solar financing beats paying your electric bill — before you talk to an installer.
Get quotes + financing options from local installers
Free, no obligation · EnergySage shows cash + loan options side by side
Solar loan calculator
Enter your system cost (before or after the federal credit) and loan terms to see your monthly payment and total cost of financing.
How solar financing works
1. Get your system cost
Installers quote the gross cost (before incentives). A typical 10 kW system runs $24,000–$30,000 depending on your state and equipment.
2. Apply the 30% credit
Many borrowers use their year-1 federal tax credit to make a lump-sum principal paydown, effectively financing only the after-credit net cost.
3. Compare to your bill
If your loan payment is lower than your electric bill, you cash-flow positive on day one. If not, calculate how long until production savings exceed the payment.
Common solar loan scenarios
| System cost | After 30% credit | 5-yr @ 5.99% | 10-yr @ 6.99% | 20-yr @ 7.99% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18,000 | $12,600 | $243/mo | $146/mo | $105/mo |
| $22,000 | $15,400 | $297/mo | $179/mo | $128/mo |
| $26,000 | $18,200 | $351/mo | $211/mo | $152/mo |
| $30,000 | $21,000 | $405/mo | $244/mo | $175/mo |
| $36,000 | $25,200 | $486/mo | $293/mo | $210/mo |
Monthly payments are approximate. Use the calculator above for your exact numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What solar loan interest rates are typical?
Is a solar loan better than a cash purchase?
Can I still get the 30% tax credit if I finance solar?
What is a good solar loan term?
How do I compare financing offers?
Ready to compare real financing options?
EnergySage lets you see multiple installers' cash and loan options side by side — so you can choose the structure that fits your budget.