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7 Steps to Solar Panels in Nebraska
By Aniket Bhor /
Solar Panel Cost in Nebraska (2023 Local Savings Guide)
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in Nebraska:
- Average Cost Per Watt: $2.83
- Cost of Average System: $20,800*
- Cost of Energy Without Solar: $43,136
- Payback Period: 16 Years**
- Lifetime Savings of Going Solar: $22,336
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
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Cost of Solar Panels in Nebraska
Solar panel systems in Nebraska cost around $2.83 per watt, which is significantly above the national average cost of $2.66. Most Nebraska homeowners spend an average of $109.39 on their electric bills per month, and this energy consumption requires a system size of 10.5 kW to offset. At $2.83 per watt, that’s a typical cost of $29,715 before the 30% federal tax credit, or $20,800 after the credit is considered. This total is above the national average due to the higher per-watt cost.
The size of the photovoltaic system needed will typically be the most influential cost factor. Each kilowatt you need to add to your solar array will add approximately $2,830 to your total. Most Nebraskans need a system that’s around 10.5 kilowatts, but the table below provides some other common sizes in the area, along with average pricing before and after the 30% federal tax credit.
| Size of Solar Panel System | Nebraska Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
| 8 kW | $22,640 | $15,848 |
| 9 kW | $25,470 | $17,829 |
| 10 kW | $28,300 | $19,810 |
| 11 kW | $31,130 | $21,791 |
| 12 kW | $33,960 | $23,772 |
| 13 kW | $36,790 | $25,753 |
| 14 kW | $39,620 | $27,734 |
Interested in seeing which solar installers in Nebraska are the most reputable and reliable? Click here.
GRNE Solar
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
GenPro Energy Solutions
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Competitive pricing
- Multitude of products and services
Cons
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited warranty coverage
ADT Solar
Best Warranty Coverage
Pros
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
Cons
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Nebraska?
As shown above, the size of the system, which is mainly determined by your average monthly energy needs, is the most influential cost factor to consider when pricing your solar panel system.
If you have a more modest home and lower energy consumption, you may only require a 5 kW system, which would cost you roughly $14,150 (before incentives) in Nebraska. On the other hand, a larger house with high energy needs could require a 15 kW system that would run upwards of $42,400 (before incentives).
Aside from size, the below factors can also play a significant role in what you’ll pay to convert to renewable energy.
Solar Equipment
It’s not just how many panels, but which brand of panels (and other necessary solar components) you choose that can raise or lower your total solar system cost.
Believe it or not, Nebraska is the 14th sunniest state in the nation, which means you probably won’t need the most expensive, high-efficiency solar panels to power your home, so long as your solar panel array is well-positioned to receive direct sunlight.
In simpler terms, this means more affordable solar panels like Silfab or QCells will work efficiently enough to get the job done.
However, if your roof receives periods of sunlight obstruction, you may want to spend a bit more money on higher-efficiency solar panels with half-cell technology, like REC, to ensure your system still produces energy even when partially shaded.
Nebraska is no stranger to inclement weather, seeing thunderstorms, tornadoes and an annual snowfall of 28 inches. For this reason, many Nebraska homeowners choose to add a solar battery to their solar system to keep the lights on in the case of any power outages.
Solar batteries can add about $10,000 to the final project costs.
You won’t have to worry too much about having snow on your solar panels, as it typically melts off without too much harm (and provides free panel cleaning). However, if you live in an area that tends to see heavy snowfall, you may want to consider investing in more durable solar panels.
Nebraska Solar Financing
As we’ve mentioned, it’s a bit more expensive to go solar in Nebraska compared to other states. While paying upfront will save you the most money in the long run, most homeowners aren’t able to shell out $29,715 in cash for the 10.5 kW system needed to power a typical Nebraska home.
However, there are financing options throughout Nebraska that can help its residents purchase a system without having the break the bank.
- Nebraska Dollar and Energy Saving Loans: The Nebraska Energy Office makes low-interest loans available for qualifying residential renewable energy projects and energy-efficient upgrades. Simple interest rates are 5%, 3.5% or less, depending on the project.
- Mosaic Loan: Offers several different loan structures to cover the upfront costs of renewable energy systems.
- Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE): Offers unique solar financing options to homeowners and business owners looking to convert to solar. The loans cover all upfront costs for eligible parties and are repaid over time with relatively little interest. PACE loans are attached to the property rather than the individual, so the value of the home is often used as collateral rather than an individual’s credit score.
- USDA REAP: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that extends to agricultural producers in Nebraska. If more than 50% of your gross annual income comes from agriculture, you may qualify for a grant of up to 25% of your total system cost, or a loan to cover up to 75%.
Some cities and municipalities in Nebraska will offer additional rebates or grants that can help lower the cost of your solar panel system. Be sure to ask your solar installer about what options are available to you or check out the DSIRE database for more financing information.
Nebraska Solar Installation Company
There are over a dozen solar installers in the Cornhusker state, yet it’s unlikely you’d receive two identical quotes for your solar panel system. Each company offers different pricing based on individual labor costs, availability, experience and brands offered.
Some of the top solar companies operating in Nebraska include GenPro Energy, GRNE Solar and ADT Solar (formerly SunPro Solar).
GenPro Energy is a great company that’s known for low prices, but its warranty doesn’t cover physical protection (only performance), which may not be ideal given the frequency of tornadoes in the state. Comparatively, GRNE will cost you a bit more but offers a 25-year equipment warranty.
It’s important to consider all of these factors before rushing to choose the company that offers you the best quote. Remember that the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best deal.
See also: Calculate the costs and savings you can get from installing solar panels
Additional Considerations and Costs in Nebraska
We’ve covered the main factors affecting solar panel installation costs, but there are other considerations unique to Nebraska that you’ll want to consider before installing solar panels.
- Permits: You’ll likely need a permit before installing a renewable energy system on your property in Nebraska, but the rules and fees associated will look different depending on where you live. A national study found that local permitting could raise the cost of residential solar by 15 to 20%.
- Licenses: Solar installers need a license from the Nebraska State Electrical division, and some cities may have additional licensing requirements. While this isn’t an upfront cost to you, some installers may have higher costs to cover the cost of their licenses.
- Warranties: Most solar panel systems are protected under warranties, which is great considering you’ll be spending thousands on your equipment. Generally speaking, the more comprehensive warranties — like the one from SunPower — are going to cost a bit more.
- HOAs: Nebraska doesn’t have statewide solar access rights, meaning that some homeowners associations (HOAs) may try to prohibit the installation of solar panel systems. Ultimately, it will be up to the city’s jurisdiction to decide. Nebraska’s legislature discussed making a rule to bar HOAs from having the power to prevent solar installations in 2020, but the bill was postponed indefinitely.
- Environmental zoning: Under Nebraska’s solar and wind easement policy, local governments are allowed to create their own regulations for solar energy projects for things like height, location, proximity to vegetation and more.
Nebraska Solar Incentives
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Nebraska is ranked 46th in terms of solar friendliness among the 50 states. Still, there are some tax incentives and benefits to going solar in Nebraska. We’ll discuss the most prominent incentives available to Nebraskans below, which are aimed at making the process of going solar more accessible.
| Nebraska Solar Incentive | How it Affects the Cost of Solar Panels in Nebraska |
| Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Property | The state government provides this tax exemption to industrial and commercial solar companies that install more than $20 million worth of equipment. While this isn’t a direct savings for homeowners, companies that benefit can pass the savings onto you. |
| Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities | Nebraska offers a property tax exemption for renewable energy generation facilities with solar arrays that are greater than 100 kW. That means if you participate in community solar, you could benefit from the reduction the utility receives on property taxes. |
| Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE) | This solar financing program was established to provide easier and more affordable access to financing for solar equipment for homeowners with below-average income levels. |
| Net Metering | Net metering allows energy to flow back and forth between the grid and your home, and you’re only charged for the energy you consume and don’t return via excess generation. This policy helps eliminate electricity costs. Nebraska offers standard net metering at a rate equal to the utility’s avoided cost of electricity supply, which means excess energy you produce will be credited to your account at a rate that’s lower than the retail rate. Excess energy you don’t use will be carried forward to the next billing period. Annual payouts will go to the customer/generator, which means you could get paid by your electric company rather than the other way around. |
| Local Solar Rebates & Incentives | Nebraska doesn’t offer much in the way of statewide solar incentives and rebates. However, local utility companies may offer efficiency rebates for upgrades like windows, lighting, EV charging stations and other energy-efficiency upgrades that can be carried out by solar installers. You can check the DSIRE database for more information. |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit | The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is offered to residents nationwide. In Nebraska, where the average system cost is $29,715, the average credit is $8,915. |
The Best Solar Panel Brands Available in Nebraska
One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when it comes to installing solar in Nebraska is the equipment brand you choose. The table below provides some of the best solar panel brands with relative pricing for each so that you can see how they stack up against other popular options.
| Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
| LG Solar | $$$ |
| Canadian Solar | $$ |
| JA Solar | $$ |
| Mission Solar | $$ |
| Panasonic | $$ |
| Q Cells | $$ |
| REC | $$$ |
| Silfab | $$$ |
| SunPower | $$$$$ |
| Tesla | $$ |
| Trina Solar | $$$ |
If you’re ready to find out how much solar panels would cost for your Nebraska home, select one of our preferred providers below for a free, no-obligation quote.
Read More About Going Solar
FAQs: Solar Panel Cost Nebraska
We get questions from Nebraska homeowners on a daily basis about the costs and benefits of going solar. Below are the questions we get asked most often, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Solar panel systems in Nebraska cost an average of $2.83 per watt. Most homeowners in the state require a 10.5-kilowatt system to offset their energy consumption, which comes out to a typical system total of $29,715 before the federal tax credit or $21,989 after.
The cost of your solar energy system can vary by thousands of dollars depending on many factors. For an accurate estimate, you’ll need to contact a reputable solar installer to assess your home and consider your house size, your monthly energy needs, the equipment you want, shading on your property, and much more.
Yes! The boost in property value you’ll enjoy from going solar in Nebraska is one of the most appealing factors for many homeowners. However, your home value will only increase if you pay for your panels with cash or a solar loan.
According to data from Zillow, most homes get bumped about 4.1% in value when a solar system is installed. Given the average home price of $225,552 in Nebraska at the time of publication, that’s an average value increase of $9,248 — nearly half the average cost of going solar! Your value increase can be even higher if you live in a more expensive area, like Lincoln or Omaha.
You might, on occasion, see some solar companies offering to install “free panels.” What these installers are really doing is getting you to sign a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), so the panels aren’t really free. Instead, you’ll be missing out on the long-term savings, the property value increase, and the federal and state tax incentives you’d enjoy if you purchased or financed your panels instead.
If you do use a cash purchase or take out a solar loan to acquire your panels, they will almost certainly pay for themselves in time. The average estimated solar panel payback period in Nebraska is 16 years, after which they will have paid for themselves and saved you additional money.
Yes, it is possible to eliminate your energy bills in Nebraska by going solar. However, because the net metering program in the state allows utility companies to buy excess energy production at a rate that’s lower than retail, it will be more challenging in Nebraska than in other, more solar-friendly states. Still, it’s possible to drop your electricity bills to $0 per month, especially if you invest in a solar battery.
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- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Excellent reputation
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
A+Outstanding Regional Installer
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