ROI & payback
A ~800W kit in a decent spot makes roughly 600–900 kWh/year (less if shaded/vertical). Multiply by your rate for yearly savings. Use our calculator to run your own numbers.
Payback = kit price ÷ yearly savings. A $500 kit saving $120/year pays back in ~4 years, then makes free power for its 20–25 year life.
Three levers matter most: your electricity rate (biggest), sun/orientation, and kit price. A cheap kit in a high-rate state is often the best deal.
If you own the spot or rent stably, face some sun, and pay average-or-higher rates, the numbers usually work — and you can take the kit with you when you move.
Related guides
How plug-in solar works · What you need to start · ROI & payback · Installation basics · Battery storage · The 800W limit · Panel direction & angle · Plug-in solar for renters