Kansas solar panels: The complete guide in 2024
Data updated Dec 17, 2024
Interested in going solar? You'll need to install a 11.76 kW solar panel system to cover the average electric bill in Kansas, which will cost you about $25,854 after the federal tax credit.
Cost for an average system in Kansas
As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal investment tax credit (ITC).
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- Overview
- Solar cost
- Incentives
- Electricity cost
- Companies
Going solar in Kansas
With its great plains and hot summers, Kansas is an easy fit for solar. But Kansas hasn't implemented many state-specific solar incentives––so it's been one of the slowest states to roll out solar energy.
We can't click our heels three times to populate the Sunflower State with solar panels, but we can explain why solar can be a good investment for Kansans. For starters, it has a great solar buyback program that helps you save on electric bills over time.
Here's what you should know about going solar in Kansas.
Cost
How much do solar panels cost in Kansas?
Solar panels will save you a lot of money over time, but the upfront costs aren't cheap. The average Kansas homeowner needs a 11.76 kW solar panel system to cover their electricity needs, which comes out to $36,934 before incentives. Prices range from $31,394 to $42,474, but after the federal tax credit, that drops by 30%.
While this may sound high, Kansas has a robust net metering program, which is why over 1,500 Kansas homeowners have used EnergySage to receive and compare quotes for solar installations. You can expect to earn back your initial solar investment through electricity savings in about 12.77 years, while most systems last at least 25 years. You'll often see this number referenced as your solar payback period.
There are a few ways to finance your solar panel system so you don't have to provide all that money upfront.
Cash purchase: You'll own the system and pay for it upfront. This provides the best long-term savings.
Solar loan: Allows you to retain ownership of your system, while owing little to no money upfront. Solar loans aren't all created equal: If you have access to subsidized clean energy loans through local incentive programs, that's usually your best bet. A home equity loan or a personal loan are often your next best options––private solar loans typically come with higher interest rates or upfront fees.
Solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA): A third-party company owns your system and either leases you the solar panels (solar lease) or allows you to purchase the electricity they generate (PPA). These generally provide the lowest savings and generate the most negative press about solar. If you choose this financing option, read the fine print: You can get trapped in them for longer than you'd like.
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Incentives
What are the best solar rebates and incentives in Kansas?
Incentives help bring solar's price tag down considerably in Kansas. Here are the major ones to know about:
Incentive | Average savings in Kansas | Description |
|---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit, formerly the federal investment tax credit (ITC) | $11,080 | Lowers your solar panel system's cost by 30% |
Kansas solar property tax exemption | The average property tax in Kansas is 1.33% | If you installed solar power after Dec. 2016, you’re exempt from your increased property taxes for 10 years. |
Is net metering available in Kansas?
In some states, you'll earn bill credits from your utility company when your solar panel system generates excess electricity and sends it to the grid. This incentive is known as net metering—basically a solar buyback program—and makes it so you will owe very little, or even nothing, on your electric bills with solar panels.
Kansas’ two investor-owned utilities (IOUs), Evergy (formerly Westar and KCP&L) and Empire District Electric Company, must provide their customers with net metering options.
While municipal or cooperative electric utilities in the state are not obligated to provide net metering, they must offer a "parallel generation" (aka net billing). Under this program, the utility does not store your energy credits (measured in kWh) but compensates you with bill credits (in dollars) for the solar power you supply to the grid.
As far as net billing programs go, the terms are pretty good: For every kWh you export, they’ll pay you 1.5 times the avoided cost rate (what your utility pays for electricity). Some even elect to just offer the standard net metering policy.
Equipment
Equipment quality
Each year, solar panels get more and more efficient—that is, they produce more power per square foot. As of 2024, the most popular solar panels can produce about 400 watts of electricity when they’re in full sunlight. If you want to make the most of your roof’s solar potential, get panels with at least that much power output.
You should also make sure to select a solar inverter setup that makes sense for your roof’s layout.
And if you want or need a solar battery, be sure to pick one that can integrate cleanly with that inverter.
Premium equipment can come with a high price tag, but it will often save you more money in the long run. The best equipment tends to have the best warranty terms, often guaranteed to 25 years (sometimes even 40!), so you’re covered in case you need repairs or replacements. The highest-quality panels also degrade more slowly, so they’ll maintain more of their power output further into the future.
Companies
Who are the best solar installers in Kansas?
We pre-screen all of the solar companies on EnergySage to ensure they'll provide you with a high-quality installation. We then rate them based on their results, reputation, and responsiveness. Here are the highest-rated EnergySage installers in Kansas:
Ready to start looking for a solar installer?
Here are some of the most popular ones near you:
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resources
Top solar resources for Kansas
- Kansas Solar Loan Providers
Search through our list of top loan providers to finance your solar panel system.
- Kansas Energy Office
Learn about KS clean energy programs from the state government.
- Kansas Electricity Profile (EIA)
Learn about KS energy production and prices.
- KS State Solar Factsheet (SEIA)
See quick stats about how much solar energy has grown in KS.
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