# Solar Payback Calculator — Canada

> Compare a simple first-year payback with a discounted cash-flow model that explicitly includes replacement and declining generation. CAD planning view; stated limitations apply.

Page: https://askcalculators.com/ca/solar-payback/
Definition: https://askcalculators.com/ca/solar-payback/definition.json
JSON Schema: https://askcalculators.com/ca/solar-payback/schema.json
Version: 20.16.0
Maintained by: AskCalculators (software project; not a credentialed reviewer)
Qualified review: pending. Automated checks do not establish professional approval.
Page status: Live
Review status: Pending

## Use
Open the calculator page and enter values. Query-string parameters can restore and bookmark a calculation.
Example: https://askcalculators.com/ca/solar-payback/?projectCost=18000&confirmedIncentive=0&annualBenefit=1800&maintenance=100&years=25&discountRate=4&degradation=0.5&energyEscalation=2&replacementYear=0&replacementCost=0

## Inputs
- projectCost: Installed project price; type=money; required; default=18000; min=0; max=1000000000000
- confirmedIncentive: Confirmed eligible incentive; type=money; required; default=0; min=0; max=1000000000000
- annualBenefit: First-year gross bill and export benefit; type=money; required; default=1800; min=0; max=1000000000000
- maintenance: Annual maintenance; type=money; required; default=100; min=0; max=1000000000000
- years: Planning horizon, years; type=number; required; default=25; min=1; max=50
- discountRate: Annual discount rate; type=percent; required; default=4; min=0; max=50
- degradation: Annual output degradation; type=percent; required; default=0.5; min=0; max=20
- energyEscalation: Annual energy-price escalation; type=percent; required; default=2; min=0; max=25
- replacementYear: Replacement year (0 means none); type=number; required; default=0; min=0; max=50
- replacementCost: Replacement cost; type=money; required; default=0; min=0; max=1000000000000

## Outputs
- capital: Net capital cost; format=currency
- annualSaving: First-year net saving; format=currency
- payback: Simple payback, years; format=number; primary
- npv: Discounted net value; format=currency
- breakeven: Cash-flow break-even year; format=number
- cumulative: Undiscounted lifetime net benefit; format=currency

## Formula
simple payback = (project price − confirmed incentive) ÷ (first-year benefit − annual maintenance).

Inputs are converted to canonical units before evaluating this stated formula.

## Rules
- Empty optional inputs are undefined, not zero.
- Hidden conditional inputs are ignored.
- Do not invent missing required inputs.

Notice: Illustrative defaults are not local quotes or verified legal rules. Dated reference components and user-entered assumptions are explicitly distinguished. Professional review is pending.