About SolarDime
Who makes this calculator, how it pays for itself, and what we will not do for a partner.
SolarDime is made by Oak & Main Developers, a small independent team that builds consumer utility tools. This page says who pays for the site and what the money does and does not buy, so you can check the calculator's independence for yourself rather than take our word for it.
Why the math assumes no federal credit
The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for installations completed after 31 December 2025. SolarDime takes that end date at face value: every estimate assumes no federal credit, and if a state or local incentive still exists, it says so explicitly and shows the math with and without it. When the payback is long in your state, the calculator says exactly that. It is a directional estimate, not a quote — the full method is published here, down to the EIA table each electricity rate comes from.
How SolarDime is funded
Two ways, and only two ways:
- Display advertising on article pages, clearly separated from content.
- An optional partner program for solar companies — installers and energy brands can license or embed the calculator and can be listed as a place to get a real quote. That program is described on the homepage under "For solar companies".
What neither of those buys: a higher estimate, a friendlier payback, a hidden referral link inside the calculator, or your contact information. The calculator runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent to us or to anyone else — and there is no lead form, no phone-number field, and no sales call, by design.
Editorial standards and corrections
State-by-state rates, net-metering rules and incentive programs are re-checked against the published sources listed on the methodology page, and each page carries the date it was last reviewed. Utilities change tariffs and states change programs; when the data drifts, the page says when it was last true rather than pretending it is current. Found an error? We would rather fix it than defend it: ownership@solardime.org.
The home-energy trio
SolarDime is one of three companion tools from the same team: WattDollar (what your appliances cost to run), Dump the Pump (gas vs. EV cost for your commute), and SolarDime (whether solar pays off where you live). Each is free, each runs in your browser, and none of them asks for your email.