Life Project Files · Solar
See what solar could do for your home.
Learn the basics, run a step-by-step calculator, and get a clear report with system size, cost, payback and long-term savings. Everything runs in your browser.
Calculator
Nine short steps: location, usage, bill, utility, roof, shading, pitch, timing and assumptions.
Report
System size, panel count, cost, payback, an optional loan payment and a 25-year outlook you can print.
Learn
Straight answers on net metering, batteries, lifespan, pros and cons, and what changed with federal tax credits.
How a home solar system works
- Solar panels turn sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
- An inverter converts DC into alternating current (AC) for your home.
- Your home uses that power first.
- Extra power goes to the grid; under net metering your utility may credit it.
- At night or on cloudy days you draw from the grid or a battery.
Reasons people consider solar
- Lower or more predictable electric bills, especially where rates are high.
- Clean power with no emissions while the panels operate.
- Panels typically carry 25-year performance warranties.
- A battery can keep key circuits running during an outage.
Things to weigh first
- Upfront cost is significant, and financing adds interest.
- Output depends on sun, shading, roof angle and weather.
- Savings depend on your utility's rates and export credit rules.
- Roof condition matters; replacing a roof later means removing panels.
Figures on this site are planning estimates, not quotes. Get written proposals from licensed installers before you decide.