Solar Payback in Saint John 2026
Saint John solar systems typically pay for themselves in 11 years. See the math by system size, with NB Power rates and available New Brunswick rebates.
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Short answer
Solar in Saint John typically pays back in 11 years for a right-sized 6 to 10 kW residential system. Payback varies with your NB Power rate (average 12.5¢/kWh), 1,900 annual sun hours in Saint John, net system cost after New Brunswick rebates, and how much production you self-consume. See system-by-system math below.
11 yrs
Typical Payback
12.5¢/kWh
Electricity Rate
1,900
Sun Hours/Year
$3.25/W
Installed Cost
How Saint John Solar Payback Is Calculated
Payback (years) = Net System Cost / Annual Bill Savings
Net system cost is your installed cost minus available rebates. Annual bill savings equal annual production times your effective rate, adjusted for self-consumption. In Saint John, we use 1,900 sun hours, 14% capacity factor, NB Power rate 12.5¢/kWh, and 85% self-consumption.
Assumptions used on this page
- • Installed cost mid-range: $3.25 per watt
- • Annual production: 14% capacity factor times 8,760 hours per year
- • Electricity rate: 12.5¢/kWh flat (does not model TOU or ULO)
- • Rebate: None modelled (some provinces have utility credits or municipal financing)
- • Self-consumption ratio: 85%
- • No rate escalation modelled (real payback is shorter with rate increases)
Saint John Payback by System Size
| System | System cost | Rebate | Net cost | Annual savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $13,000 | — | $13,000 | $521/yr | 25 yrs |
| 6 kW | $19,500 | — | $19,500 | $782/yr | 24.9 yrs |
| 8 kW | $26,000 | — | $26,000 | $1,042/yr | 25 yrs |
| 10 kW | $32,500 | — | $32,500 | $1,303/yr | 24.9 yrs |
| 12 kW | $39,000 | — | $39,000 | $1,564/yr | 24.9 yrs |
Estimates assume 14% capacity factor, 12.5¢/kWh, 85% self-consumption, no rate escalation. Actual payback varies with roof orientation, shading, usage pattern, and financing.
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Related Resources
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Learn more— Sources: NRCan, NB Power published rates.