How Much Could You Save Switching to Solar?
This solar savings calculator helps you estimate the financial benefits of switching to solar energy. Input your current electricity costs, roof details, and location to get: 25-year net savings projection, payback period estimate, federal tax credit calculation, annual production estimate, and environmental impact (CO2 offset). Get connected with local installers for accurate quotes.
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export function solarSavingsQuiz(form: FormTs) {
form.setTitle(() => '☀️ How Much Could You Save Switching to Solar?');
// ========== STATE ==========
const inputs = form.state<{
monthlyBill: number;
roofSize: number;
sunHours: number;
electricityRate: number;
systemSize: number;
}>({
monthlyBill: 150,
roofSize: 1500,
sunHours: 5,
electricityRate: 0.12,
systemSize: 6
});
// ========== CALCULATIONS ==========
const getAnnualUsage = () => {
const bill = inputs().monthlyBill;
const rate = inputs().electricityRate;
return rate > 0 ? Math.round((bill / rate) * 12) : 0;
};
const getRecommendedSystemSize = () => {
const annualUsage = getAnnualUsage();
const sunHours = inputs().sunHours;
const dailyProduction = sunHours * 365;
return dailyProduction > 0 ? Math.round((annualUsage / dailyProduction) * 10) / 10 : 0;
};
const getSystemCost = () => {
const size = inputs().systemSize;
const costPerWatt = 2.75;
return Math.round(size * 1000 * costPerWatt);
};
const getFederalTaxCredit = () => {
return Math.round(getSystemCost() * 0.30);
};
const getNetSystemCost = () => {
return getSystemCost() - getFederalTaxCredit();
};
const getAnnualProduction = () => {
const size = inputs().systemSize;
const sunHours = inputs().sunHours;
const efficiency = 0.80;
return Math.round(size * sunHours * 365 * efficiency);
};
const getAnnualSavings = () => {
const production = getAnnualProduction();
const rate = inputs().electricityRate;
return Math.round(production * rate);
};
const getPaybackYears = () => {
const netCost = getNetSystemCost();
const annualSavings = getAnnualSavings();
return annualSavings > 0 ? Math.round((netCost / annualSavings) * 10) / 10 : 0;
};
const get25YearSavings = () => {
const annualSavings = getAnnualSavings();
const netCost = getNetSystemCost();
let totalSavings = 0;
for (let year = 1; year <= 25; year++) {
totalSavings += annualSavings * Math.pow(1.02, year - 1);
}
return Math.round(totalSavings - netCost);
};
const getCO2Offset = () => {
const annualProduction = getAnnualProduction();
return Math.round((annualProduction * 0.92) / 2000);
};
// ========== COMPLETION SCREEN ==========
form.configureCompletionScreen({
type: 'text',
title: '☀️ Your Solar Savings Report Is Ready!',
message: () => `Thank you! Based on your inputs, you could save an estimated $${get25YearSavings().toLocaleString()} over 25 years. Check your email for the detailed report.`
});
// ========== PAGES ==========
const pages = form.addPages('quiz-pages', { heightMode: 'current-page' });
// ========== PAGE 1: Current Energy Usage ==========
const page1 = pages.addPage('current-usage', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header1', {
label: 'Step 1 of 5: Current Energy Usage',
computedValue: () => 'Let\'s understand your current electricity costs',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
page1.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addSlider('monthlyBill', {
label: 'Average Monthly Electricity Bill',
min: 50,
max: 500,
step: 10,
unit: '$',
defaultValue: 150,
tooltip: 'Check your recent electricity bills for the average',
onValueChange: (v) => inputs.update(s => ({ ...s, monthlyBill: v || 150 }))
});
});
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addSlider('electricityRate', {
label: 'Electricity Rate (per kWh)',
min: 0.08,
max: 0.35,
step: 0.01,
unit: '$',
defaultValue: 0.12,
tooltip: 'Find this on your electricity bill - national average is $0.12',
onValueChange: (v) => inputs.update(s => ({ ...s, electricityRate: v || 0.12 }))
});
});
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('usageEstimate', {
label: 'Estimated Annual Usage',
computedValue: () => `📊 Based on your inputs: ~${getAnnualUsage().toLocaleString()} kWh/year`,
customStyles: { background: '#f0f9ff', padding: '12px', borderRadius: '8px' }
});
});
// ========== PAGE 2: Property Details ==========
const page2 = pages.addPage('property', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header2', {
label: 'Step 2 of 5: Property Details',
computedValue: () => 'Tell us about your roof and location',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
page2.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addSlider('roofSize', {
label: 'Available Roof Space',
min: 500,
max: 3000,
step: 100,
unit: 'sq ft',
defaultValue: 1500,
tooltip: 'Estimate the south-facing roof area available for panels',
onValueChange: (v) => inputs.update(s => ({ ...s, roofSize: v || 1500 }))
});
});
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('roofType', {
label: 'Roof Type',
options: [
{ id: 'asphalt', name: 'Asphalt Shingles (most common)' },
{ id: 'tile', name: 'Tile Roof' },
{ id: 'metal', name: 'Metal Roof' },
{ id: 'flat', name: 'Flat Roof' },
{ id: 'other', name: 'Other' }
],
defaultValue: 'asphalt'
});
});
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addSlider('sunHours', {
label: 'Average Peak Sun Hours (daily)',
min: 3,
max: 7,
step: 0.5,
unit: 'hours',
defaultValue: 5,
tooltip: 'Varies by location: Southwest US ~6-7hrs, Northeast ~4-5hrs',
onValueChange: (v) => inputs.update(s => ({ ...s, sunHours: v || 5 }))
});
});
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('roofAge', {
label: 'Roof Age',
options: [
{ id: 'new', name: 'Less than 5 years' },
{ id: 'mid', name: '5-15 years' },
{ id: 'old', name: '15-25 years' },
{ id: 'replace', name: 'Needs replacement soon' }
],
defaultValue: 'mid',
tooltip: 'Newer roofs are better for solar - panels last 25+ years'
});
});
// ========== PAGE 3: System Size ==========
const page3 = pages.addPage('system-size', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header3', {
label: 'Step 3 of 5: System Configuration',
computedValue: () => 'Choose your solar system size',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
page3.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('recommendation', {
label: 'Recommended System Size',
computedValue: () => `💡 Based on your usage, we recommend a ${getRecommendedSystemSize()} kW system`,
customStyles: { background: '#f0fdf4', padding: '12px', borderRadius: '8px', color: '#166534' }
});
});
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addSlider('systemSize', {
label: 'System Size (kW)',
min: 3,
max: 15,
step: 0.5,
unit: 'kW',
defaultValue: 6,
tooltip: 'Larger systems produce more power but cost more upfront',
onValueChange: (v) => inputs.update(s => ({ ...s, systemSize: v || 6 }))
});
});
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('financing', {
label: 'How do you plan to finance?',
options: [
{ id: 'cash', name: 'Cash Purchase' },
{ id: 'loan', name: 'Solar Loan' },
{ id: 'lease', name: 'Solar Lease/PPA' },
{ id: 'unsure', name: 'Not sure yet' }
],
defaultValue: 'cash',
orientation: 'vertical'
});
});
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addSuggestionChips('priorities', {
label: 'What\'s most important to you?',
suggestions: [
{ id: 'savings', name: '💰 Maximum savings' },
{ id: 'environment', name: '🌱 Environmental impact' },
{ id: 'independence', name: '🔌 Energy independence' },
{ id: 'value', name: '🏠 Home value increase' }
],
min: 1,
max: 2
});
});
// ========== PAGE 4: Results ==========
const page4 = pages.addPage('results', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header4', {
label: 'Step 4 of 5: Your Solar Savings Estimate',
computedValue: () => 'Here\'s how much you could save!',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
page4.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('mainResult', {
label: '25-Year Net Savings',
computedValue: () => `$${get25YearSavings().toLocaleString()}`,
customStyles: () => ({
fontSize: '48px',
fontWeight: 'bold',
textAlign: 'center',
padding: '20px',
borderRadius: '12px',
color: get25YearSavings() > 30000 ? '#059669' : get25YearSavings() > 15000 ? '#ca8a04' : '#dc2626',
background: get25YearSavings() > 30000 ? '#ecfdf5' : get25YearSavings() > 15000 ? '#fefce8' : '#fef2f2'
})
});
});
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('paybackResult', {
label: 'Payback Period',
computedValue: () => `⏱️ Your system pays for itself in ${getPaybackYears()} years`,
customStyles: { textAlign: 'center', fontSize: '18px', padding: '10px' }
});
});
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('systemCost', {
label: 'System Cost (before incentives)',
computedValue: () => getSystemCost(),
currency: '$',
decimals: 0,
variant: 'default'
});
row.addPriceDisplay('taxCredit', {
label: 'Federal Tax Credit (30%)',
computedValue: () => getFederalTaxCredit(),
currency: '$',
decimals: 0,
prefix: '-',
variant: 'success'
});
});
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('netCost', {
label: 'Net System Cost',
computedValue: () => getNetSystemCost(),
currency: '$',
decimals: 0,
variant: 'highlight'
});
row.addPriceDisplay('annualSavings', {
label: 'First Year Savings',
computedValue: () => getAnnualSavings(),
currency: '$',
decimals: 0,
suffix: '/year',
variant: 'success'
});
});
const detailsSection = page4.addSubform('detailsBreakdown', {
title: '📊 Detailed Breakdown (click to expand)',
isCollapsible: true,
customStyles: { background: '#f9fafb', borderRadius: '8px', marginTop: '20px' }
});
detailsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('systemDetails', {
label: 'System Details',
computedValue: () => `• System Size: ${inputs().systemSize} kW\n• Annual Production: ${getAnnualProduction().toLocaleString()} kWh\n• Coverage: ${Math.round((getAnnualProduction() / getAnnualUsage()) * 100)}% of your usage\n• CO₂ Offset: ${getCO2Offset()} tons/year`
});
});
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('envImpact', {
label: '🌍 Environmental Impact',
computedValue: () => `Going solar offsets ${getCO2Offset()} tons of CO₂ annually - like taking ${Math.round(getCO2Offset() * 2.2)} cars off the road!`,
customStyles: { background: '#f0fdf4', padding: '15px', borderRadius: '8px', color: '#166534', textAlign: 'center' }
});
});
// ========== PAGE 5: Lead Capture ==========
const page5 = pages.addPage('lead-capture', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header5', {
label: 'Step 5 of 5: Get Your Free Detailed Quote',
computedValue: () => 'Connect with local solar installers for accurate pricing',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
page5.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addTextbox('name', { label: 'Your Name', isRequired: true, placeholder: 'John Smith' }, '1fr');
row.addEmail('email', { label: 'Email Address', isRequired: true, placeholder: 'john@email.com' }, '1fr');
});
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addTextbox('phone', { label: 'Phone Number', placeholder: '(555) 123-4567' }, '1fr');
row.addTextbox('zipcode', { label: 'ZIP Code', isRequired: true, placeholder: '90210' }, '1fr');
});
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('homeowner', {
label: 'Do you own your home?',
options: [
{ id: 'yes', name: 'Yes, I own my home' },
{ id: 'buying', name: 'Currently buying' },
{ id: 'no', name: 'No, I rent' }
],
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('timeline', {
label: 'When are you looking to go solar?',
options: [
{ id: 'asap', name: 'As soon as possible' },
{ id: '3months', name: 'Within 3 months' },
{ id: '6months', name: 'Within 6 months' },
{ id: 'researching', name: 'Just researching' }
]
}, '1fr');
});
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckboxList('consent', {
options: [
{ id: 'report', name: '📄 Send me my personalized solar savings report', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'quotes', name: '💡 Connect me with local solar installers for quotes' },
{ id: 'tips', name: '📧 Send me solar energy tips and incentive updates' }
],
defaultValue: ['report'],
orientation: 'vertical'
});
});
// ========== SUBMIT BUTTON ==========
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: () => `☀️ Get My Free Solar Quote (Est. Savings: $${get25YearSavings().toLocaleString()})`
});
// ========== PDF REPORT ==========
form.configurePdf('solar-savings-report', pdf => {
pdf.configure({
filename: 'solar-savings-estimate.pdf',
pageSize: 'A4',
allowUserDownload: true,
downloadButtonLabel: '☀️ Download Solar Estimate',
header: {
title: 'Solar Savings Estimate',
subtitle: 'Your Personalized Solar Analysis'
},
footer: {
text: 'Generated by FormTs Solar Calculator',
showPageNumbers: true
}
});
pdf.addSection('Executive Summary', section => {
section.addRow(row => {
row.addField('25-Year Net Savings', `$${get25YearSavings().toLocaleString()}`);
row.addField('Payback Period', `${getPaybackYears()} years`);
});
section.addRow(row => {
row.addField('Recommended System', `${inputs().systemSize} kW`);
row.addField('Annual Production', `${getAnnualProduction().toLocaleString()} kWh`);
});
});
pdf.addSection('Cost Breakdown', section => {
section.addTable(
['Item', 'Amount'],
[
['System Cost', `$${getSystemCost().toLocaleString()}`],
['Federal Tax Credit (30%)', `-$${getFederalTaxCredit().toLocaleString()}`],
['Net Cost', `$${getNetSystemCost().toLocaleString()}`]
]
);
});
pdf.addSection('Environmental Impact', section => {
section.addText(`Your solar system will offset approximately ${getCO2Offset()} tons of CO₂ annually.`);
});
pdf.addPageBreak();
pdf.addSection('Next Steps', section => {
section.addText('1. Review this estimate with your household');
section.addText('2. Get multiple quotes from certified installers');
section.addText('3. Check for additional state/local incentives');
section.addText('4. Verify your roof condition and any HOA requirements');
section.addText('5. Schedule a professional site assessment');
});
});
form.configureSubmitBehavior({ sendToServer: true });
}
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides estimates based on average costs and production rates. Actual savings depend on your specific location, roof orientation, local incentives, and installation costs. Get quotes from installers for precise figures.
What's the federal solar tax credit?
The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is currently 30% of your total system cost. This credit applies to both the equipment and installation costs, significantly reducing your net investment.
How long do solar panels last?
Most solar panels have 25-year warranties and can last 30+ years. Production typically decreases by about 0.5% per year. Our calculations account for this degradation over the 25-year projection.
Should I wait for solar prices to drop?
Solar prices have stabilized, and the 30% tax credit is available now. Waiting means missing years of savings. Most financial advisors recommend going solar sooner rather than later if your roof is ready.