Common questions
Straight answers, including the ones that are awkward for us.
Money
Is this really free?
Yes. You never pay us anything, and there is no upsell. The estimate is free and does not even ask for your email.
Then how do you make money?
Solar companies pay us to introduce homeowners who are genuinely looking. That is the whole business, and it is why the full report asks for your name, email and phone number. We would rather tell you that plainly than pretend we are doing this for fun.
Does that change the numbers you show me?
No, and it would be a bad business if it did. We show ranges, we tell you when solar is a poor fit for your state, and we leave out the federal tax credit because it expired. An installer who receives an introduction from someone with unrealistic expectations has wasted their time and ours.
The numbers
Where do they come from?
Production comes from NREL PVWatts, the US government model the solar industry uses, run against typical weather for your ZIP code. Electricity prices come from EIA state averages. Install costs are current market ranges. Every assumption is listed on your results page, and you can open it before giving us anything.
Is this a quote?
No. It is a model, and it has never seen your roof. It does not know about your shading, your electrical panel, your roof age, or your specific utility tariff. Treat it as the number that tells you whether the conversation is worth having.
Why is my payback so long?
Almost always because your electricity is cheap. Solar pays back fastest where power is expensive, so a house in California or Massachusetts sees a very different answer from one in Washington or Idaho. We show you the real answer either way, including when it is discouraging.
Why do you not include the 30% federal tax credit?
Because it no longer exists for a purchase. The residential clean energy credit expired for systems bought after 31 December 2025. Any calculator still applying it is quietly making solar look better than it is. State and utility incentives may still exist where you live, and those would improve on our figures.
Why a range instead of one number?
Because install prices vary between companies, and utilities pay very different amounts for the power you export. A single number would hide both. The spread between the ends of our range is the honest size of the uncertainty.
Your details
Do I have to give my phone number?
Not for the estimate. Production, savings and payback are free and ungated, and you can stop there. The phone number is only for the full report, because that is the part funded by introducing you to installers.
Will I get spam calls?
You will get calls, and we would rather you knew that before you tick the box than after. If you complete the form and consent, solar companies covering your ZIP code may call, text or email you about a quote. That is what the consent box says and it is what will happen. If you do not want that, use the free estimate and close the tab.
What happens right after I submit?
We email your full report to the address you gave. Opening it also confirms your address is real, which is how we avoid passing bad details to installers.
Can you delete my details?
Yes. Email privacy@solarpaybackcheck.com and we will delete what we hold, apart from the consent record we are legally required to keep. Reply STOP to any text message to opt out immediately. California residents have specific rights set out in the privacy policy.
Who we are
Are you a solar installer?
No. We do not sell panels, install anything, finance anything, or service systems. We built a calculator and we introduce interested homeowners to companies that do the actual work. If you already have a system and need help with it, your installer is the right contact, not us.
Who is behind this?
The site is operated by Techpillars Oy, a company registered in Finland. Full company and privacy contact details are on the contact page.