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BUYING DECISION · October 20, 2026

Solar Attic Fan Buying Guide: 22 Models by Watts, CFM, Price and Warranty

Solar attic fan comparison: 22 models from QuietCool, Attic Breeze, Air Vent, Maxx Air and more, 10 to 70 W, 433 to 2,280 CFM, $349.99 to $913.46.

Solar Attic Fan Buying Guide: 22 Models by Watts, CFM, Price and Warranty

By The Roofing Brief Team | Last reviewed: October 2026

A solar attic fan is a roof or gable exhaust fan run by its own 10 to 70 W panel: October 2026 models move 433 to 2,280 CFM, cost $349.99 to $913.46, and earn no federal tax credit.

Key takeaways

  • Across 22 models from nine makers, including the QuietCool, Solatube and Attic Breeze fans that lead Google’s results, panels run from 10 W to 70 W and published airflow from 433 to 2,280 CFM; five makers publish no CFM for the models we checked.
  • Makers rate coverage inconsistently: Maxx Air rates its 1,280 CFM roof fan for 1,200 sq ft (1.07 CFM per sq ft) but its 433 CFM gable fan for 1,850 sq ft (0.23) (Maxx Air).
  • In a Central Florida test home, two 10 W solar fans cut daily peak attic air temperature by an average of 22°F and air conditioning energy by 6.0%, about 460 kWh a year (FSEC-GP-171-00).
  • At the July 2026 U.S. residential average of 18.31 cents per kWh, those savings are worth $84.23 a year, a payback of 8.8 to 12.3 years on 2026 prices for two fans.
  • The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025 (IRS, page updated July 4, 2026).

Solar attic fan key numbers

These 8 figures frame most solar attic fan purchases: the sizing rule, the intake rule, the airflow and price spread of 2026 models, the measured savings, the electric fan it replaces, and the tax position. Each row names its source, so you can check the number against the maker sheet, study or government page it came from.

Figure Value Source
Minimum fan airflow Attic sq ft x 0.7 = CFM Air Vent AV-005 sell sheet, Sept 2026
Intake needed CFM / 300 x 144 = sq in of net free area Air Vent AV-005 sell sheet, Sept 2026
Published airflow, 2026 models 433 to 2,280 CFM Maxx Air and Solar Royal product data, Oct 2026
Panel size, 2026 models 10 to 70 W Air Vent 2026 catalog; Solar Royal SR1800 sheet
Unit price at maker stores $349.99 to $913.46 Maxx Air and Lomanco stores, Oct 2026
Measured cooling savings, one test home 6.0%, about 460 kWh a year FSEC-GP-171-00, 2000
Electric attic fan draw it replaces 250 to 300 W FSEC-CR-1496-05, 2005
Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit Not available for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025 IRS, updated July 4, 2026

Which solar attic fans are on the market, and how do they compare?

Twenty-two current solar attic fans from nine makers span 10 to 70 W panels and 433 to 2,280 CFM where airflow is published. Remington, Lomanco, Broan, QuietCool and Solatube publish watts or coverage but no CFM on the October 2026 pages we opened, so those fans cannot be sized with the 0.7 rule from maker data. Warranties run from Maxx Air’s 1 year to lifetime at Remington and Attic Breeze.

The table lists every identifier, spec and price we could confirm at a maker document or store page. Air Vent figures come from its 2026 Ventilation Catalog and September 2026 sell sheet, Solar Royal figures from its 2026 SR1800 spec sheet, and Lomanco figures from its solar vents page.

Maker and model Mount Panel Panel type CFM Rated attic area Intake required Warranty Price, seller, Oct 2026
Air Vent SC8BL Roof, attached panel 10 W Not stated 800 1,200 sq ft 384 sq in 5 yr limited No listing found
Air Vent NPSP8WW Roof, attached or detached panel 10 W Not stated 800 1,200 sq ft 384 sq in 5 yr limited No listing found
Air Vent 9025TR Roof, attached panel 25 W Not stated 1,050 1,500 sq ft (catalog: 2,600) Not stated 5 yr motor, 20 yr panel and housing No listing found
Air Vent NPSG8 Gable 10 W Not stated 800 1,200 sq ft 384 sq in 5 yr limited No listing found
Maxx Air 1,030 CFM roof Roof, integrated panel 25 W Monocrystalline 1,030 1,000 sq ft 495 sq in 1 yr $369.99, Maxx Air store
Maxx Air 1,280 CFM roof Roof, adjustable panel 50 W Monocrystalline 1,280 1,200 sq ft 615 sq in 1 yr $459.99, Maxx Air store
Maxx Air 433 CFM gable Gable, panel on 25 ft cord 15 W Multi-crystal 433 1,850 sq ft (page also says 1,500) 400 sq in 5 yr vent, 10 yr panel $349.99, Maxx Air store
Remington 20 W Roof 20 W Not stated Not published 1,400 sq ft 4 sq ft per fan Lifetime parts $359, Remington store
Remington 30 W Roof 30 W Not stated Not published 2,000 sq ft 4 sq ft per fan Lifetime parts $398, Remington store
Remington 40 W galvanized Roof, tilting panel 40 W Polycrystalline Not published 2,400 sq ft 4 sq ft per fan Lifetime parts $438, Remington store
Remington 60 W Roof, tilting panel 60 W Polycrystalline Not published 4,000 sq ft (page also says 3,000 plus) 4 sq ft per fan Lifetime parts $599, Remington store
Lomanco OSV40 Omni Solar Vent Roof, remote panel 40 W Not stated Not published Not stated Not stated 10 yr vent, 5 yr panel and motor $913.46, Lomanco store
Lomanco SGABLE40 Gable, remote panel 40 W Not stated Not published Not stated 768 sq in 10 yr vent, 5 yr panel and motor $648.04, Lomanco store
Solar Royal SR1810 Roof 35 W Monocrystalline Up to 1,825 Up to 2,955 sq ft Not stated 15 yr; lifetime upgrade if registered No open listing
Solar Royal SR1870 Roof, plus 35 W remote panel 70 W Monocrystalline Up to 2,280 Up to 3,555 sq ft Not stated 15 yr; lifetime upgrade if registered No open listing
QuietCool 40 W Solar Gable (SLR-40W) Gable, panel on 30 ft cord 40 W Not stated Not published Not stated Not stated Not stated $359, QuietCool store
Solatube RM1500 Roof 16 W Not stated Not published Not stated Not stated Not stated $681.95 to $741.29 across listed variants, Solatube shop
Solatube RM2400 Roof 33 W Not stated Not published Not stated Not stated Not stated $681.95 to $741.29 across listed variants, Solatube shop
Attic Breeze AB-2523A Roof 25 W Monocrystalline 1,550 Not stated 750 sq in Lifetime $729.95, Energy Efficient Solutions
Attic Breeze AB-3523A Roof 35 W Monocrystalline 1,775 Not stated Not stated Lifetime $763.95, Energy Efficient Solutions
Attic Breeze AB-4523A Roof 45 W Monocrystalline 1,925 Not stated Not stated Lifetime $799.95, Energy Efficient Solutions
Broan 345SOBK Roof Not in manual Not stated Not in manual Not stated 2 sq ft open inlet 2 yr motor, 6 yr product No listing found
Bar chart of published CFM for twelve solar attic fans, from 433 to 2,280 CFM
Published airflow ranges from 433 CFM (Maxx Air gable) to 2,280 CFM (Solar Royal SR1870). Sources: Air Vent 2026 catalog and AV-005, Maxx Air store, Solar Royal SR1800 sheet, Energy Efficient Solutions Attic Breeze listing, Oct 2026. Remington, Lomanco, Broan, QuietCool and Solatube publish no CFM.

Remington’s intake figure is from its solar attic fan store page, and its prices and warranty from each product page; Maxx Air data is from its roof-mount store page and product pages; the Broan row is from its 345SO instructions. QuietCool data is from its store page, Solatube data from its solar attic fan shop, and Attic Breeze data from the Energy Efficient Solutions listing. Air Vent’s 384 sq in intake figure is from its 2017 brochure.

For humidity control, Remington’s 60 W fan ships with a humidistat and thermostat pre-installed, and its 40 W galvanized model is sold as a humidistat and thermostat version. QuietCool’s 40 W gable fan uses a preset thermostat that turns on at 88°F and an included AC/DC inverter that switches it to grid power at night.

How do you size a solar attic fan?

Size a solar attic fan like any powered vent: multiply attic floor area by 0.7 for minimum CFM, then provide 144 sq in of intake per 300 CFM. Air Vent states both rules on its September 2026 sell sheet, and Remington’s buying guide repeats the 0.7 multiplier. A 1,500 sq ft attic needs at least 1,050 CFM and 504 sq in of intake.

The catch is that makers do not apply their own rules evenly. Dividing each model’s published CFM by its rated attic area shows a spread from 0.23 to 1.07 CFM per square foot, and two Air Vent documents from 2026 rate the same 9025TR at 1,500 sq ft and 2,600 sq ft. By the 0.7 rule, Maxx Air’s 433 CFM gable fan covers about 619 sq ft, not 1,850.

Model CFM Rated attic area CFM per sq ft rated CFM per panel watt
Air Vent SC8BL 800 1,200 sq ft 0.67 80
Air Vent 9025TR (sell sheet) 1,050 1,500 sq ft 0.70 42
Air Vent 9025TR (catalog) 1,050 2,600 sq ft 0.40 42
Maxx Air 25 W roof 1,030 1,000 sq ft 1.03 41.2
Maxx Air 50 W roof 1,280 1,200 sq ft 1.07 25.6
Maxx Air 15 W gable 433 1,850 sq ft 0.23 28.9
Solar Royal SR1810 1,825 2,955 sq ft 0.62 52.1
Solar Royal SR1870 2,280 3,555 sq ft 0.64 32.6
Bar chart showing makers rate solar fans from 0.23 to 1.07 CFM per square foot of attic
Dividing published CFM by rated attic area gives 0.23 to 1.07 CFM per sq ft, against Air Vent’s 0.7 sizing rule. Sources: maker documents and store pages, Oct 2026.

Intake is where the published rules line up best. Maxx Air’s 495 sq in for its 1,030 CFM roof fan and 615 sq in for its 1,280 CFM fan both match CFM / 300 x 144 within 1 sq in. Attic Breeze’s 750 sq in per 25 W, 1,550 CFM fan is within 6 sq in of the formula. Lomanco’s SGABLE40 calls for 768 sq in, which by the same formula matches a 1,600 CFM fan, though Lomanco publishes no CFM. Our net free area calculation guide converts that to vents.

The worked example below sizes a 2,000 sq ft attic, which needs 1,400 CFM and 672 sq in of intake by the Air Vent rules, using models with published CFM and, where available, October 2026 store prices.

Option for a 2,000 sq ft attic Total CFM Meets 1,400 CFM? Intake for that CFM Unit cost, Oct 2026
1 x Solar Royal SR1810 1,825 Yes 876 sq in No open listing
2 x Air Vent SC8BL 1,600 Yes 768 sq in No listing found
2 x Maxx Air 25 W roof 2,060 Yes 990 sq in (Maxx Air: 495 each) $739.98
1 x Maxx Air 50 W roof 1,280 No 615 sq in $459.99

More fans mean more intake: every extra 300 CFM needs another 144 sq in at the soffits, and our guide to soffit vents lists net free area by vent type.

Solar vs electric attic fan: what changes?

A solar attic fan trades grid power and wiring for daylight-only operation. FSEC’s 2005 literature review puts typical electric attic ventilators at 250 to 300 W, while solar units draw nothing from the grid and need no circuit. In exchange, airflow follows the sun, stops at night, and the unit costs two to six times more than a $149 electric roof fan.

Item Solar attic fan Electric attic fan Source
Grid power while running 0 W 250 to 300 W typical FSEC-CR-1496-05, 2005
When it runs When the panel is lit When the thermostat or humidistat calls DOE BASC; GAF Master Flow manuals
Night operation Only with an add-on, such as Remington’s $149 110V hybrid adapter for its 60 W fan Yes Remington store, Oct 2026
Wiring None; Lomanco says no electrician is needed 120 V grounded circuit, 14-gauge minimum Lomanco; GAF V971381
Published airflow 433 to 2,280 CFM 1,050 to 1,620 CFM (Air Vent electric line) Maker data; Air Vent 2026 catalog
Unit price $349.99 to $913.46 $149 (Master Flow ERV5) Maker stores; HVAC Quick, Oct 2026
Installed range, roof mount $300 to $1,400 $200 to $1,200 HomeGuide, Apr 2024
Georgia State Energy Code Allowed Not allowed unless solar powered DOE BASC

The DOE Building America Solution Center lists a solar unit among its mitigations for anyone set on an attic fan, because it does not pull in humid night air, stops in rain, and tends to have a lower CFM rating that creates less negative pressure. For the electric install, wiring and permit steps, see our attic fan installation guide.

Where do solar attic fans underperform?

Solar attic fans underperform in shade, at night, in cloudy or rainy weather, and in late afternoon, because airflow depends on panel output. The FSEC test fans were rated 600 to 800 CFM only at peak sun of 1,000 W per square meter, and the study reported that afternoon savings were not in evidence. Shaded roof faces and starved intake cut output further.

The FSEC-GP-171-00 study, by Danny Parker and John Sherwin of the Florida Solar Energy Center, retrofitted two 10 W thin-film units on August 6, 1997, to a Central Florida home that already had a radiant barrier. Comparing matched weather periods before and after, the results were these.

Measured result (FSEC test home, 1997) Value
Average drop in daily peak attic air temperature 22°F
Air conditioning energy cut 6.0% (2.8 kWh per day)
Estimated annual cooling savings 460 kWh
Payback at 1997 Florida prices More than 20 years
Cost of the two fans About $600, about $850 installed
Four stat cards summarizing measured attic temperature drop, cooling savings and payback from an FSEC solar fan test
Two 10 W thin-film solar fans retrofitted August 6, 1997, to a Central Florida home with a radiant barrier. Source: Parker and Sherwin, FSEC-GP-171-00 (2000).

Each weak spot has a maker figure behind it:

  • Shade. Broan’s 345SO instructions say to pick the roof spot with the best sun at 4:00 p.m. in the hottest month, on the south, southwest or west face, 24 to 36 in below the peak.
  • Night and rain. FSEC’s 2005 review notes PV ventilation will not run during humid nighttime periods or rainy periods; hybrid adapters, such as Air Vent’s Solar Controller, which ran a fan in 15-minute cycles for up to 10 hours, exist to cover that gap.
  • Winter. Broan offers a CWT45 thermostat that stops the motor below 50°F, for climates where cold-weather condensation is not a concern.
  • Roof pitch. Air Vent lists its solar roof models for 3/12 to 8/12 pitches; outside that range, use a gable unit or a curb adapter.
  • Intake. Broan’s solar manual warns that missing intake “could cause natural-draft gas appliances to backdraft,” the same risk an electric fan carries.

Low CFM limits the depressurization risk but does not remove it: Broan still asks for 2 sq ft of open intake on its solar 345SO. Before adding any powered exhaust, air seal the ceiling so the fan pulls from the soffits rather than the house; our attic air sealing guide lists the leak points, and the attic ventilation guide covers passive options.

Does a solar attic fan pay for itself?

A solar attic fan pays back slowly, if at all. Using FSEC’s measured 460 kWh a year and the July 2026 U.S. residential average of 18.31 cents per kWh from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, savings are worth $84.23 a year. Two fans at October 2026 prices then pay back in 8.8 to 12.3 years.

Cost case for two fans Cost Annual savings Simple payback
FSEC 1997 installed cost $850 $84.23 10.1 years
2026 parts only, 2 x Maxx Air 25 W roof $739.98 $84.23 8.8 years
2026 parts plus roofer, low ($45 per hour, 4 hours) $919.98 $84.23 10.9 years
2026 parts plus roofer, high ($75 per hour, 4 hours) $1,039.98 $84.23 12.3 years
Bar chart of simple payback for two solar attic fans, from 8.8 to 12.3 years
Savings of 460 kWh a year (FSEC, 2000) at 18.31 cents per kWh (EIA, July 2026) equal $84.23 a year. Prices: Maxx Air store, Oct 2026; labor: Bob Vila, Dec 2023.

Inputs: 460 kWh x $0.1831 = $84.23 a year; labor assumes 2 hours per fan at the $45 to $75 roofer rate in Bob Vila’s December 2023 cost guide. The Maxx Air units carry a 1 year warranty, shorter than every payback here. FSEC says savings may be larger in homes without a radiant barrier, with less ceiling insulation, or with the air handler in the attic.

Is a solar attic fan eligible for a federal tax credit?

No, not for a fan placed in service in 2026. The IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page, last updated July 4, 2026, says the 30% credit covered qualified property installed from 2022 through December 31, 2025, and “is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.” Its qualified list names solar electric panels, not attic fans.

Date Status Source
2022 to Dec 31, 2025 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit for qualified property installed IRS 25D page
Jan 17, 2025 IRS FAQ fact sheet FS-2025-01 published; no attic fan entry IRS FS-2025-01
Dec 31, 2025 Last placed-in-service date for the credit IRS 25D page
Jul 4, 2026 IRS page update: credit not available after Dec 31, 2025 IRS 25D page
Timeline of the federal residential clean energy credit from 2022 to its end on December 31, 2025
The IRS says the credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Source: IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page, updated July 4, 2026.

We found no IRS document that names solar attic fans as qualifying property; earlier eligibility claims came from maker certification statements, such as Lomanco’s, rather than an IRS ruling. Lomanco’s web page now says the federal credit for homeowner-owned systems expired December 31, 2025, while its Omni Solar Vent instruction sheet (revision 20850_0926) still says the vent “may be eligible for a federal tax credit.” For credits that cover attic insulation and air sealing, see our attic insulation tax credit guide.

How do you install a solar attic fan?

A roof-mount solar attic fan installs like a powered vent minus the wiring: site it in full sun 24 to 36 in below the peak, cut a 14 in deck hole, slide the base under the upper shingles and screw it down every 6 in. Those figures are from Broan’s 345SO instructions; GAF’s Master Flow manual uses similar steps for electric units.

  1. Choose the spot with the best sun at 4:00 p.m. in the hottest month, on the south, southwest or west face, 24 to 36 in below the peak.
  2. Test the fan in sunlight on the ground, then tape cardboard over the panel so it cannot spin during install.
  3. From the attic, drill a guide hole halfway between rafters at the chosen point.
  4. Scribe a 16 1/2 in circle on the shingles and a 14 in circle on the deck, and cut both.
  5. Draw a 27 in square around the hole and pull the nails from its top two-thirds.
  6. Bed the base groove in roofing cement, slide it under the upper shingles, and fasten with #10 x 1 in pancake head screws at the corners and every 6 in, leaving the bottom edge unsealed.
  7. Fit the dome, remove the cardboard, and confirm the fan runs.

Broan notes that installation by anyone other than the original roofer may affect an existing roof warranty, so ask the roofer first. Our attic fan installation guide covers flashing details and gable mounting.

Should you buy a solar attic fan? Decision table

Buy a solar attic fan only when the attic has no fuel-burning appliance, no ridge vent, intake that meets the CFM / 300 x 144 rule, and a roof face in full afternoon sun. If you need nighttime running, pick a hybrid model or an electric fan. The table pairs common situations with an action and the maker or study figure behind it.

If your situation is Do this Basis
Fuel-burning appliance in the attic No fan; fix passive venting instead DOE BASC; Broan 345SO
Ridge vent already installed No fan; add soffit intake DOE BASC; GAF RESMF334
Roof face shaded at 4 p.m. in July Remote-panel model, panel on the sunny face Broan 345SO; Lomanco OSV40; Maxx Air gable (25 ft cord)
Need night or cloudy-day running Hybrid adapter model or an electric fan Remington 110V adapter; FSEC 2005
Roof pitch outside 3/12 to 8/12 Gable unit or curb adapter Air Vent solar product page
Attic over 2,000 sq ft Two fans or one 1,825 CFM class unit, plus 144 sq in intake per 300 CFM Air Vent AV-005; Solar Royal SR1800 sheet
Main goal is payback Air seal and insulate first; fan payback ran 8.8 to 12.3 years in our 2026 example DOE BASC; FSEC-GP-171-00; EIA
Decision flowchart for buying a solar attic fan based on appliances, ridge vent, sun and night running
Thresholds from Broan 345SO instructions, DOE Building America Solution Center, Air Vent AV-005 (Sept 2026) and FSEC (2005).

For other exhaust choices, our guides to roof vent types and ridge vents vs power attic fans compare passive and powered options. A whole-house fan cools living space instead.

How we compiled this

We compiled this from 31 primary documents opened in October 2026: catalogs, spec sheets, manuals and store pages from Air Vent, Maxx Air, Remington, Lomanco, Solar Royal, Broan, QuietCool, Solatube, Attic Breeze and GAF; two FSEC studies; a 1994 ACEEE field study; DOE Building America guidance; two IRS documents; EIA prices; and one retailer listing. We did not buy, install or test any fan.

Frequently asked questions

Do solar-powered attic fans really work?

They cool the attic, with modest whole-house savings. In FSEC’s Central Florida test, two 10 W solar fans cut the daily peak attic air temperature by an average of 22°F and air conditioning energy by 6.0%, about 460 kWh a year. At 18.31 cents per kWh (EIA, July 2026), that is worth $84.23 a year.

What are the disadvantages of solar attic fans?

Output follows the sun: FSEC reported afternoon savings were not in evidence, and panel-only fans stop at night and in rain. Units cost $349.99 to $913.46 at maker stores in October 2026, two to six times a $149 electric fan. Maxx Air’s warranty is 1 year, and five makers publish no CFM for the solar models we checked.

Why don’t we use attic fans anymore?

Many building scientists consider the risks greater than the benefits, says DOE’s Building America Solution Center, which recommends passive ventilation and notes ENERGY STAR does not recommend attic fans. The worry is negative pressure: in 1993 field tests, powered fans pulled an average of 231 CFM of house air. Georgia’s energy code still allows solar units while barring grid-powered ones.

How much does it cost to have a solar attic fan installed?

HomeGuide’s April 2024 survey puts a solar roof fan at $300 to $1,400 installed. At October 2026 maker store prices, units alone run $349.99 to $913.46. Adding a roofer for about 2 hours at $45 to $75 per hour, the rate in Bob Vila’s December 2023 guide, puts one Maxx Air 1,030 CFM fan at $459.99 to $519.99.

Do solar attic fans work at night?

Not on panel power alone. FSEC’s 2005 review notes that solar ventilation does not run during humid nighttime or rainy periods. Some models add grid backup: QuietCool’s $359 40 W solar gable fan ships with an AC/DC inverter that switches to AC power at night, and Remington sells a $149 110V hybrid adapter for its 60 W fan.

How many solar attic fans do I need?

Divide the CFM your attic needs by one fan’s published CFM. Air Vent’s rule is attic square feet x 0.7, so a 2,000 sq ft attic needs 1,400 CFM: two 800 CFM Air Vent SC8BL units or one 1,825 CFM Solar Royal SR1810. Each 300 CFM needs another 144 sq in of soffit intake.

How long do solar attic fans last?

Warranties are the best published guide, and they run from 1 year to lifetime. Maxx Air covers its solar roof fans for 1 year, Air Vent covers the 9025TR motor for 5 years and its panel and housing for 20, Lomanco covers the OSV40 vent for 10 years, and Remington and Attic Breeze offer lifetime coverage.

Do solar attic fans qualify for the tax credit in 2026?

No. The IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page, updated July 4, 2026, says the credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Its list of qualified expenses names solar electric panels, solar water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells and battery storage, and does not mention attic fans.

Sources