Solar Calculators
A number of online calculators have been developed to help you make a decision about going solar. Some of the calculators are required to participate in the various California rebate programs.
These calculators provide estimates of costs, paybacks, and electricity production for solar systems and may not be a true reflection of the costs or the pay-back period for your new solar electricity system. Please note that results may vary between calculators due to differing internal assumptions and calculation methodologies. Not all of them will agree with each other, and some may use generalized assumptions.
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Clean Power Estimator - simple, easy to use calculator tool for California solar customers -- estimates customer payback and return on investment in solar systems |
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CSI Expected Performance Based Buydown Calculator (EPBB Calculator) - calculates expected performance of solar projects and establishes CSI design factor for use in CSI rebate applications |
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CECPV Calculator (for New Solar Homes Partnership) - calculates estimated performance and supports NSHP rebate application |
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CSI-Thermal Calculator - calculates solar thermal system performance for use in CSI-Thermal rebate application process |
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Solar Advantage Value Estimator (SAVE) - estimates the present value of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system; providing a method to calculate the energy savings value of a solar system including the estimated value in annual energy savings. The California Energy Commission developed SAVE in response to expressed interest from real estate professionals, and other stakeholders. See FAQs SAVE Online Training Schedule |
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PV Watts Calculator from National Renewable Energy Laboratory - determines the energy production and cost savings of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world |
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Solar Advisor Model (SAM) from NREL - comprehensive solar economic decision analysis tool. SAM makes performance predictions for grid-connected solar, small wind, and geothermal power systems and economic estimates for distributed energy and central generation projects |
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California Energy Performance Benchmarking for Commercial Buildings |
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City of Berkeley Calculator |
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List of Decision-Making Tools from the U.S. Department of Energy - a variety of calculators related to making a decision to purchase a renewable energy system |