Solar panels on residential rooftops are often touted as a clear win for the environment and household budgets, but I've seen too many cases where the payback period stretches beyond 15 years due to local electricity rates and installation costs. Even with federal tax credits, a typical 6kW system in states with low sunlight can leave homeowners waiting a decade or more to break even. Are we overselling solar as a universal solution when the real benefit depends heavily on where you live and how long you stay in your house?