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

  • Papillion Solar Installation Cost: $23,804
  • 25-Year Savings: $7,438
  • Payback Period: 14.7 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Papillion

See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Papillion.

In Papillion, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Papillion, most homeowners require a 9.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $23,804, or $34,040 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $16,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Papillion find investing in solar has a decent ROI.

To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Papillion, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Papillion

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-22,554
3 years $-20,054
5 years $-17,555
7 years $-15,056
9 years $-12,556
11 years $-10,057
13 years $-7,558
15 years $-5,058
17 years $-2,559
19 years $-60
21 years $2,440
23 years $4,939
25 years $7,438

Top Solar Installers in Papillion

Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra labor and know-how. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Solar installers 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 Papillion, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Papillion

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Papillion

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

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Papillion, one of the most important 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 consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,580 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Papillion, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Papillion is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.

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 $9,881 15.3 years
8 kW $3.65 $20,449 $13,575 15.0 years
10 kW $3.58 $25,060 $17,470 14.7 years
12 kW $3.51 $29,471 $21,566 14.4 years
14 kW $3.44 $33,681 $25,862 14.1 years
16 kW $3.37 $37,690 $30,358 13.8 years
18 kW $3.29 $41,499 $35,055 13.6 years
20 kW $3.22 $45,108 $39,953 13.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the installation 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 tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
  • Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies 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 go with.

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 Papillion, NE Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,900 for a 5-kW system and $35,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Papillion?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $850.61 per year.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

Follow us