Solar, inverters and generators solve different problems. This planner makes the trade-offs visible without pretending they are interchangeable.
Three different jobs, compared
7.3 yr solar payback
Solar can reduce purchased energy; an inverter shifts stored electricity; a generator creates backup energy from fuel. Their costs are not directly interchangeable.
Generator cost per kWh must include the fuel and operating assumptions you choose.
Inverter battery purchase and replacement are not included in solar payback.
Solar savings are capped at the entered annual household consumption.
Grid, generator backup and solar savings are calculated separately.
The result updates in your browser as you change an input. It is a planning estimate, so compare it with real bills, product specifications and a qualified professional's assessment.
Read the full methodology