Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Platte, NE (2024 Update)
- North Platte Solar Installation Cost: $22,419
- 25-Year Savings: $23,337
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Platte
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in North Platte.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in North Platte it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in North Platte is around 8.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $22,419 for a solar installation, or $32,059 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average North Platte homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar company in North Platte, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in North Platte
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-21,080 |
| 3 years | $-18,401 |
| 5 years | $-15,723 |
| 7 years | $-13,044 |
| 9 years | $-10,366 |
| 11 years | $-7,687 |
| 13 years | $-5,009 |
| 15 years | $-2,330 |
| 17 years | $349 |
| 19 years | $3,027 |
| 21 years | $5,706 |
| 23 years | $8,384 |
| 25 years | $11,063 |
Top Solar Installers in North Platte
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Using a solar company can make your swap to solar power much easier. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're searching for a solar installer in North Platte, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 North Platte
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Platte
Although the average cost of a solar system in North Platte is $22,419, your final cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in North Platte, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,580 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like North Platte, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in North Platte is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — 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 choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within 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 | $11,900 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $16,268 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $20,836 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $25,604 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $30,573 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $35,743 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $41,113 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $46,683 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you hire.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
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 North Platte, NE Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in North Platte?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, 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 higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $917.91 per year.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.