Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fort Riley, KS (2023 Update)
- Fort Riley Solar Installation Cost: $13,942
- 25-Year Savings: $27,583
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fort Riley
We break down average solar pricing in Fort Riley.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Fort Riley, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.59 per watt. The average Fort Riley homeowner needs a 7.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,942 with the federal tax credit, or $19,937 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Fort Riley homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $21,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fort Riley find going solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Fort Riley for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Fort Riley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,281 |
| 3 years | $-8,959 |
| 5 years | $-5,637 |
| 7 years | $-2,315 |
| 9 years | $1,007 |
| 11 years | $4,329 |
| 13 years | $7,651 |
| 15 years | $10,973 |
| 17 years | $14,295 |
| 19 years | $17,617 |
| 21 years | $20,939 |
| 23 years | $24,261 |
| 25 years | $27,583 |
Top Solar Installers in Fort Riley
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Fort Riley, optimizing your ROI.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Fort Riley:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Fort Riley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fort Riley
The cost of installing a solar system in Fort Riley can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Fort Riley average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Fort Riley have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Fort Riley homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you select will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.69 | $11,313 | $21,080 | 8.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $28,397 | 8.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $35,859 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $43,466 | 8.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $51,218 | 8.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $59,115 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $67,157 | 7.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $75,344 | 7.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Fort Riley, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure you look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren't sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Fort Riley, KS Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Fort Riley?
The average cost of solar panels in Fort Riley is about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Fort Riley, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Fort Riley?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.