It really depends on where you live. Aside from the obvious electrical cost savings, you typically have state/federal incentives plus the opportunity to sell ba

It really depends on where you live. Aside from the obvious electrical cost savings, you typically have state/federal incentives plus the opportunity to sell back excess power to the grid. In addition, and most importantly, there may be SREC markets that pay you to generate EVEN if you consume everything you produce. In Washington DC for example, my $30k traditional panel system should be paid off in about 5 years due to (ordered by magnitude): SREC sales, federal tax credits, excess power generation sold to the grid, electrical savings. Currently in year 3 and about 2/3 paid off.