Solar Panel Cost Guide in Falls City, NE (2024 Update)
- Falls City Solar Installation Cost: $23,516
- 25-Year Savings: $18,074
- Payback Period: 16.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Falls City
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Falls City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Falls City it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Falls City, most homeowners require a 9.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $23,516, or $33,628 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Falls City can save around $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Falls City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-22,267 |
| 3 years | $-19,767 |
| 5 years | $-17,268 |
| 7 years | $-14,769 |
| 9 years | $-12,269 |
| 11 years | $-9,770 |
| 13 years | $-7,270 |
| 15 years | $-4,771 |
| 17 years | $-2,272 |
| 19 years | $228 |
| 21 years | $2,727 |
| 23 years | $5,226 |
| 25 years | $7,726 |
Top Solar Installers in Falls City
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be challenging. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what brand of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Falls City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Falls City
For many Falls City homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Falls City, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,580 per kilowatt in Falls City.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Falls City homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $3.72 | $15,637 | $7,805 | 16.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $10,808 | 16.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $14,011 | 16.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $17,414 | 15.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $21,018 | 15.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $24,823 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $28,828 | 14.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $33,033 | 14.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose greatly influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Falls City, NE Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Falls City?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,900 for a 5-kW system and $35,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Falls City?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Falls City is currently $120,203, which means you can expect a value of about $4,928 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Falls City is a fruitful investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.