How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Nebraska

The average cost of a solar panel system in Nebraska is $29,715 before applying the federal solar tax credit, or $21,989 after the credit is considered. But these costs reflect a fairly large 10.5 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system (the size needed to offset the average monthly energy usage in Nebraska).

Solar panel systems in Nebraska are typically priced per-watt, with the average cost in Nebraska at $2.82 per watt, so if you consume less energy, you could install a smaller, less-expensive solar system. Solar system prices in Nebraska typically range from $22,600 to $39,650 before applying any financial incentives.

Unfortunately, solar in Nebraska is still quite more expensive compared to the national average of $2.66 per watt. That doesn’t mean that it’s not worth going solar in Nebraska, as many solar customers still see plenty of electricity savings. But it does mean you’ll want to pull out all the stops to save money on your solar panels by doing the following:

• Take advantage of the federal solar tax credit
• Choose your solar equipment brands wisely
• Only install as many solar panels as you need
• Shop around for the best quotes

Take Advantage of the Federal Solar Tax Credit

The federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is the best financial incentive available to Nebraska homeowners who install solar panels. It’s a tax credit worth 30% of your total solar system cost, which in Nebraska comes out to roughly $9,000 on average.

But we want to be clear that the ITC is not a rebate, but rather a reduction on income taxes that you owe. This credit gets applied to your income taxes for the year your system is installed.

The downside is that if you don’t owe $9,000 in income taxes, you won’t get the full 30% back. However, the credit can be rolled over for up to five years.

While the ITC is the largest incentive for going solar in Nebraska, there are a few others. Below is an overview of what’s available:

Choose Your Solar Panel Wisely

Most people don’t think of sunshine when they think of Nebraska, but it’s actually the 14th sunniest state in the nation.⁷ That means you don’t need the most expensive, highest-efficiency solar panels to get good energy creation out of your panels.

The price of going solar will vary based on the type of solar panel you choose. Most homeowners in Nebraska install monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels.

Type of solar panel isn’t the only factor. Just like with clothes, different brands of solar panels each come with varying qualities and price tags.

Because Nebraska sees a good amount of sunshine, you may be able to save on solar panels by choosing more affordable solar panel brands like Silfab or Qcells.

Only Install As Many Solar Panels As You Need

Nebraska homes consume 1,013 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, which is much higher than the national monthly average of 881 kilowatt-hours.⁸ So the average Nebraska homeowner will need a relatively big 10.5 kW solar panel system to offset all of their energy needs.

However, your energy consumption may fall below average, which means you could get away with installing a smaller (and therefore less expensive) system. The table below shows how the size of your solar panel system affects the total cost before and after applying the ITC.

Shop Around For the Best Quotes

Nebraska has been slower to the solar revolution, with only 14 installers headquartered in the Cornhusker State according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).⁹ But, there are a few bigger companies that serve Nebraska, too, like SunPower and ADT Solar, that may not be included in that number.

Regardless, we recommend getting solar quotes from two or more of the companies featured in this review to ensure you’re getting the best value solar panels. If you prefer one company over another but it’s more expensive, use the lower quote as a bargaining chip to see if you can save some money on your solar installation.

See Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Nebraska?

Adding a 5 kW solar panel system to your home in Nebraska can increase your property value by $17,000, according to SunPower.¹⁰

Multiple studies have confirmed that solar panels do increase the value of a home. Research from Zillow also shows that homes with solar panels typically sell for 4% more compared to homes without.¹¹

Should Nebraska Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

Cost is the number one reason why homeowners hesitate to install solar panels — especially in Nebraska where it’s a bit more expensive compared to the national average.

You may be wondering if you could save some money going solar by installing your own solar panels. But is DIY solar panel installation a good idea?

• How much do you save with a DIY solar panel installation?
• Are you capable of installing your own solar panels?
• Do you still get a warranty with DIY solar panel installation?

How Much Do You Save With a DIY Solar Installation in Nebraska?

To figure out how much you’d save by installing your own solar panels, we first need to know how much labor costs in a solar installation. The truth is that it varies by company, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, labor typically accounts for at least 10% of the total cost of solar installation.¹²

In Nebraska where the average solar panel installation costs $29,715, installing your own panels could save you about $2,971. So we can see while it’s tempting. But don’t let cost be the only deciding factor here.

Are You Capable of Installing Your Own Solar Panels?

If you’re a handy homeowner, you might be feeling confident in a DIY solar panel installation. After all, we’re all experts after watching a few YouTube videos, right?

Not so fast.

Installing solar is more complicated than you think. Unless you’re an electrician or certified in a similar trade, we don’t recommend installing your own solar panels. There’s a reason why solar technicians have to go through rigorous training and licensing — it’s not an easy job. Installing solar comes with a lot of risks to you and your home.

Solar installation companies also have fancy software designed to find the exact angle and placement of panels to maximize production, which can lead to savings of well over $2,971 when you consider 25 years of production.

If you install your solar panels improperly, you run the risk of losing out on major solar power benefits. And that’s not to mention the potential home and roof damage you could cause in the process.

Do You Still Get a Warranty With DIY Solar Panel Installation?

If you buy solar panels for your home instead of hiring a solar panel company, the panels and equipment you purchase may still be covered under the product manufacturer’s warranty. That’s typically a 10 to 25-year guarantee that the panels won’t fail.

Some solar panel brands may also offer a performance warranty, which guarantees 90% of solar electric production for 10 years and 80% at 25 years.

However, many manufacturer and performance warranties include language that they’re only valid if the solar PV system is installed by a professional technician.

If you’re planning a DIY installation, be sure to call the manufacturer and ask for clarification on the warranty to make sure your solar investment will be protected. Even if you’re capable of installing the panels, you don’t want to run the risk of being out of luck if you have a faulty panel.

Bottom line: solar is a big investment. While you may be able to save a few thousand dollars by performing a DIY solar installation in Nebraska, consider that you may put yourself, your home and your solar equipment at risk. The smartest thing to do is to protect your investment by hiring a reputable solar company.

What Should Nebraska Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

There are over a dozen solar companies in Nebraska to choose from. Aside from price, what factors should you consider when trying to decide which installer is best for you? We recommend finding a company that fits the following criteria:

• Strong warranty coverage
• Battery storage and energy efficiency add-ons
• Solar financing options
• Great company experience and reputation

A Strong Warranty

Going solar isn’t cheap, so you want to get the most out of your investment. Your solar panels should last you at least 25 years, so you shouldn’t accept a panel warranty that’s any less than that.

Everlight Solar, GRNE and ADT offer 25-year equipment or performance warranties, which is why they scored highly in this category. All three also offer workmanship warranties of at least 10 years, which will ensure that your panels are properly installed.

Battery Storage Add-Ons

Power outages aren’t incredibly common in Nebraska as a whole, but the state is certainly no stranger to severe weather conditions that may reduce your solar energy production for periods of time.

That’s why many Nebraska homeowners who install solar panels also install a solar battery storage system. Your panels are almost always going to produce more electricity than what’s needed to power your home during the day. If you have a solar battery, that excess energy is stored in your home for you to use at night or during periods of low to no sunshine.

With a solar battery storage system, you’re able to use your solar energy more often. This reduces your reliance on your utility company and reduces your electricity bills and carbon footprint.

Solar Financing Options

The majority of Nebraskans don’t have $30,000 on hand to pay for their solar panel system with cash or credit. Good solar panel companies understand that and offer plenty of financing options to make going solar more affordable.

While you’ll see the biggest return on investment by paying for your system upfront, many homeowners find taking out a solar loan is far more feasible. Choose a solar company that offers a solar financing program that best suits your needs.

We don’t recommend taking out a solar lease or PPA in Nebraska, which is why the top companies featured on this page don’t have those options. However, we did list the lack of leasing options as a con because solar leases do help more people access solar energy, which is a win for the planet regardless of how little it may benefit the homeowner.

Company Experience and Reputation

You may take a gamble on trying the hottest new restaurant in Lincoln before reading customer reviews, but we don’t suggest you do the same with solar panel companies.

We only recommend solar companies that have at least five years of experience in Nebraska. New businesses don’t necessarily mean bad business. But there’s a sense of security that comes with choosing a solar installer with a track record of positive customer experiences.

After you’ve received your solar quotes, you may want to ask your utility company what it thinks of the company, as it deals with solar companies all the time to set up net metering connections. And of course, read customer testimonials and reviews online for each solar company before you purchase panels.

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Methodology: How We Ranked Nebraska’s Solar Companies

Solar is still pretty underutilized in Nebraska, which means there aren’t as many solar installers to choose from. Fortunately, this means that we were able to dig a little deeper into each Nebraska solar company.

When we rank our top solar companies, we start by identifying the factors that matter most when ensuring that our Nebraska readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation. We’ve listed those factors as categories below. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark (a company meeting the industry standard in all categories would earn 4 stars in our rating system).

Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to Nebraska homes.

• Solar Services (20%): Every installer on this list installs solar panels but some companies — like Great Plains Renewables — stop there. Others are scored higher for offering add-on services and products, like solar batteries, electric vehicle chargers, energy efficiency upgrades and more.
• Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%): Solar companies often affiliate themselves with industry organizations when they genuinely care about improving the solar industry. Companies with certifications or affiliations from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), Nebraskans for Solar, etc. will score higher.
• Solar Warranty & Customer Support (20%): Warranty coverage is one of the best ways to protect your multi-thousand-dollar solar investment. Solar warranties can cover equipment malfunction, performance and workmanship. The more robust the warranty, the better. But warranties are also only as good as the company’s customer support service, so we look for a good rating in that category, too.
• Solar Financing Options (20%): Many companies accept cash purchases and loans, but the terms of the solar loans can make an enormous difference in the total price paid over time. Companies with more appealing and flexible financing options rank higher in our ratings.
• Experience (10%): We’ve seen many “fly by night” companies pop up in an effort to turn a profit in a hot, emerging market. Unfortunately, these companies provide sub-optimal customer service most of the time, and if they go out of business, your warranty will be voided. We rank companies with longevity in the industry a bit higher for these reasons.
• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%): While going solar is great for money-saving benefits, we prioritize people and the planet alongside your profit. As such, we take each company’s ecological and ethical standards into account when ranking our top providers.