Commercial solar ROI calculator

Many daytime-load commercial roofs land between three and six years on a simple payback, depending on tariff, utilisation and whether accelerated depreciation applies. Night-heavy loads with low daytime demand take longer because less generation displaces grid purchase.

This tool estimates a 40% first-year depreciation benefit on system cost as a planning shortcut. Actual tax benefit depends on your profit, tax rate and accountant’s treatment. Toggle it off if you want a pre-tax payback view.

It is a conservative Chennai working average used across our calculators (about 1,640 units per kW per year). Shading, orientation, soiling and inverter losses can move the real number, which is why a survey still matters.

Not always. CAPEX usually wins on total lifetime cost if you can fund the plant and use depreciation. OPEX or RESCO can win when capital is constrained or you prefer a tariff discount without owning the asset. Compare structures on our CAPEX vs OPEX page.