📉 Simple Payback Calculator for Solar & Energy
Estimate simple solar-system payback.
This free tool helps you turn project measurements into a practical planning estimate. Enter values in Vaelden’s interactive calculator, review the result, and confirm important assumptions against supplier data, measurements, codes or qualified advice before committing materials or money.
Open the Simple Payback calculator →
How to calculate simple payback
Method: Simple payback = installed cost ÷ (self-consumption savings + export income − annual maintenance)
- Use the final installed price after confirmed rebates.
- Estimate self-consumed and exported energy separately using their actual tariffs.
- Test realistic tariff changes and likely component replacement in a fuller investment model.
Worked example
Using these planning inputs:
- Installed cost: 12000 currency
- Annual generation: 9000 kWh
- Self-consumed energy: 55 %
- Import tariff: 0.32 currency/kWh
- Export tariff: 0.08 currency/kWh
- Annual maintenance: 120 currency
Simple payback: 6.7 years
Reality check: Simple payback ignores financing, degradation, tax and the time value of money. It is a comparison shortcut, not a return forecast.
Before you calculate
Use consistent units and the best measured inputs available. Real materials, equipment, site conditions and tolerances can change the result. Vaelden shows planning estimates; regulated, structural, electrical, plumbing, pressure and other safety-critical work still requires appropriate local compliance and professional advice.