Solar System Size & Cost Estimator | Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Use this link to login to SmartHub: https://northwesternrec.smarthub.coop/ui/#/login

Enter your average monthly kWh used over the last 12 months:

You can enter a different installed price per watt to see the results (default is $3.50):

Base on your usage, the largest solar size (max = 25 kW) you would be permitted to install is: 7.39 kW

A system this size is estimated to produce this much energy annually: 9,060 kWh's

(Estimated annual kWh production premised upon ideal conditions, proper alignment to sun, no shading, 100% solar panel function. Solar Company should provide actual estimate for kWh production.)

The retail value of this energy on Northwestern REC's present rates (Your Annual Savings) would be: $ 915.42

(A monthly Cost of Service fee will be charged regardless of how much energy your solar system produces.)

Using your price-per-watt, the cost of a system this size would be: $ 25,856.16

(Historical pricing for solar systems connected to the co-op tends to be in the range of $3 to $5 per watt. Some of the systems sold to co-op members have been as much as $10 per watt.)

Applying the Federal Tax Credit would reduce the cost of a system this size by this amount: $ -6,722.60

(Federal tax credit is presently at 26%. You should contact a tax consultant to ensure that your financial situation qualifies you for any or all of this credit before making a purchasing decision.)

Net cost of this system: $ 19,133.56

Years to pay off the net cost of this system: 21 years

Based upon the annual kWh's generated by this system over a 25 year estimated life expectancy, the life cost per kWh would be: $ 0.08

** Pay back and Life Cost per kWh estimates can greatly vary.

Renewable Energy Credit income (may be taxable), future electric rate increases, grant funds, and decreased installation cost can reduce these numbers.
Decreasing solar system performance (expected), decreased system life expectancy (est. 25 years), maintenance costs, changes in electric service fees, increased installation costs and and financing expense (added to initial cost) can increase these numbers.