This varies quite a bit from the answers my utility company (SMUD) gives. Sunroof says I'll break even in 6 years, my utility estimates 19 years. The biggest d

This varies quite a bit from the answers my utility company (SMUD) gives. Sunroof says I'll break even in 6 years, my utility estimates 19 years. The biggest difference between their estimates is that Sunroof thinks the panels can cover 99% of my energy costs, so I'll only need to spend $6,000 over the next 20 years on electricity. My power utility estimates that the panels can only cover 80% of my electricity, and I would still spend $26,000 over those 20 years. Just in that comparison, I trust my power utility more (99% coverage seems unrealistic). If they're otherwise correct, 19 years to break even is hardly a compelling case for installing solar. And my roof is well-suited for solar too.