What this is A beginner-friendly introduction to using SolarQuant for evaluating your solar project opportunity.
Who this is for Private individuals considering solar installation for their property and wanting to understand if it makes financial sense.
What you can do - Enter basic information about your potential solar project - Get quick financial projections - Understand key metrics like payback and savings - Make informed decisions about next steps
Before you start
Gather basic information You will need: - Your property location (country/region) - Approximate roof or ground space available - Current electricity costs (from your bill) - Any quotes you have received from installers
Understand the purpose SolarQuant gives you a quick first estimate: - Is this project likely to make financial sense? - What returns can you roughly expect? - Should you proceed with detailed quotes and planning?
It is NOT: - A final financial plan - A replacement for professional assessment - An installation quote
Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Create an account - Sign up for a free account - Verify your email address - Create your first project
Step 2: Enter basic project details Required information: - Country/location - Estimated system size (if known) or roof area - Expected installation cost (from quotes or estimates)
Optional but helpful: - Current electricity rate - Expected usage pattern - Any local incentives or tax credits
Step 3: Run the assessment Click "Calculate" to see your results: - Estimated payback period: How long until savings cover the cost - Projected savings: Expected electricity bill reduction - Simple return: Basic return on investment
Step 4: Interpret results
Good indicators: - Payback under 7-10 years - Positive cash flow from year 1 - Returns competitive with other investments
Warning signs: - Very long payback ( 15 years) - Negative cash flow for many years - Returns significantly below market alternatives
What the numbers mean
Payback period Time until your savings equal your investment. - 5-7 years: Excellent - 7-10 years: Good - 10-15 years: Marginal - 15 years: Consider carefully
Annual savings Expected yearly reduction in electricity costs. - Depends on your current rates - Higher rates = better savings
System size (kWp) How much generation capacity. - 3-5 kWp typical for homes - 5-10 kWp for larger properties - Match to your consumption for best results
Next steps after assessment
If results look promising 1. Get multiple installer quotes 2. Verify assumptions with professionals 3. Check local permits and requirements 4. Review financing options
If results are marginal 1. Consider waiting for costs to decrease 2. Look into local incentives 3. Reassess if your rates increase
If results look poor 1. Confirm your inputs are accurate 2. Consider if conditions might change 3. May not be right time/place for solar
Rules and limits - Results are estimates, not guarantees - Actual performance depends on many factors - Always get professional verification
Common mistakes - Using optimistic cost estimates - Ignoring maintenance costs - Not accounting for roof orientation/shading - Expecting guaranteed returns