# Tools

URL: https://solarrealcost.com/tools

6 free home solar tools from SolarRealCost: Will solar pay for itself on your roof?, How many panels do you need? and 4 more.

Tools

Answer once in any tool or the Solar Check; the others reuse it. Nothing leaves this device.

* ![Sunlight raking across a dark panel surface at a shallow angle so the cell grid reads as texture.](https://solarrealcost.com/images/gen/tool-will-solar-pay-for-itself.png)  
## Will solar pay for itself on your roof?  
Production from NREL's model, at your real rate, with the federal credit shown at $0 and dated.  
[Open the tool →](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/will-solar-pay-for-itself)
* ![A neat grid of dark panels on a plain shingle roof seen straight down from above.](https://solarrealcost.com/images/gen/tool-how-many-panels.png)  
## How many panels do you need?  
From what you actually use, the panel wattage available, and the production factor where you live.  
[Open the tool →](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/how-many-panels)
* ![Aluminium mounting rail and stainless bolts laid out on grey shingle.](https://solarrealcost.com/images/gen/tool-solar-cost-estimator.png)  
## Solar cost estimator  
Low, typical and high dollars per watt for your system size, roof complexity and state.  
[Open the tool →](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/solar-cost-estimator)
* ![Four blank white paper folders laid in a row on a plain table in flat daylight.](https://solarrealcost.com/images/gen/tool-cash-loan-lease-or-ppa.png)  
## Cash, loan, lease or PPA  
The same system four ways over 25 years — escalators, dealer fees, who owns the tax benefit, and what happens when you sell.  
[Open the tool →](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/cash-loan-lease-or-ppa)
* ![A residential electricity meter on a clapboard wall, dial face turned away and unreadable.](https://solarrealcost.com/images/gen/tool-net-metering-where-you-live.png)  
## Net metering where you live  
What your state actually credits you for power you export, and whether existing customers are grandfathered.  
[Open the tool →](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/net-metering-where-you-live)
* ![A plain unmarked envelope and a pen on a hall table beside a front door with daylight behind it.](https://solarrealcost.com/images/gen/tool-your-right-to-cancel.png)  
## Your right to cancel  
The three business days the FTC gives you to cancel a contract signed at your home, what your state adds, and who to call for free.  
[Open the tool →](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/your-right-to-cancel)

Not sure where to start? Take the Solar Check.

About 2 minutes, no sign-up. Short questions, each with an example, and your answers stay on this device.

[Start your Solar Check→](https://solarrealcost.com/check)