Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fort Riley, KS (2025 Update)
- Fort Riley Solar Installation Cost: $17,982
- 25-Year Savings: $27,580
- Payback Period: 10.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fort Riley
We break down average solar pricing in Fort Riley.
In Fort Riley, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Fort Riley, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,982, or $25,714 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 may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Fort Riley can save around $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in Fort Riley for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Fort Riley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,638 |
| 3 years | $-13,949 |
| 5 years | $-11,260 |
| 7 years | $-8,571 |
| 9 years | $-5,882 |
| 11 years | $-3,194 |
| 13 years | $-505 |
| 15 years | $2,184 |
| 17 years | $4,873 |
| 19 years | $7,562 |
| 21 years | $10,251 |
| 23 years | $12,939 |
| 25 years | $15,628 |
Top Solar Installers in Fort Riley
Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about using a reputable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
See all of the solar companies in Fort Riley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fort Riley
There are several criteria that can affect your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Fort Riley, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,340 for each additional kilowatt you need.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Fort Riley average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Fort Riley homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Fort Riley, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.47 | $14,589 | $17,804 | 11.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.41 | $19,078 | $24,113 | 11.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.34 | $23,380 | $30,609 | 10.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.27 | $27,495 | $37,292 | 10.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.21 | $31,423 | $44,162 | 10.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.14 | $35,164 | $51,219 | 10.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.07 | $38,717 | $58,463 | 10.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.01 | $42,084 | $65,894 | 9.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar panel system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
EcoWatch's Fort Riley, KS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fort Riley?
The average cost of solar panels in Fort Riley is about $16,700 for a 5-kW system and $33,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Fort Riley?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Fort Riley. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity 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 $1,079.78 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally 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.