Solar Panel Cost Guide in McCook, NE (2024 Update)

  • McCook Solar Installation Cost: $21,967
  • 25-Year Savings: $27,096
  • Payback Period: 12.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in McCook

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in McCook.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in McCook it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in McCook is around 8.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $21,967 for a solar installation, or $31,413 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will most likely look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you want to go with.Even with the significant upfront cost, the average McCook homeowner can save around $19,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a custom estimate.

Solar savings over time in McCook

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-20,791
3 years $-18,440
5 years $-16,089
7 years $-13,737
9 years $-11,386
11 years $-9,035
13 years $-6,683
15 years $-4,332
17 years $-1,981
19 years $371
21 years $2,722
23 years $5,073
25 years $7,425

Top Solar Installers in McCook

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 McCook

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in McCook

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in McCook: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power production require better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,580.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many McCook homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installation company you choose will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with 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 $14,795 12.8 years
8 kW $3.65 $20,449 $20,128 12.6 years
10 kW $3.58 $25,060 $25,661 12.4 years
12 kW $3.51 $29,471 $31,395 12.1 years
14 kW $3.44 $33,681 $37,329 11.9 years
16 kW $3.37 $37,690 $43,464 11.6 years
18 kW $3.29 $41,499 $49,799 11.4 years
20 kW $3.22 $45,108 $56,334 11.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar panels, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 McCook, NE Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in McCook?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in McCook?

A solar panel system isn’t free in McCook, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.

How will installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.

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.

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