There is no single right answer, but many systems pay for themselves between 5 and 15 years.  Much depends on the overall cost of the system, which is a product of the type and size of the installation and the incentives available. 

Furthermore, the break-even point is influenced by the price of electricity:  if your utility charges 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (all else held constant), your break-even point would come sooner than if you were only being charged five cents per kilowatt-hour.  This is because in the first case you'd be saving more money in monthly electricity charges:  each kilowatt-hour produced by your PV system would save you 12 cents, as opposed to five.

Need More Information About A Solar Energy System?  
Contact Fafco Solar or Call 239-574-1500.