Solar Panel Cost Guide in Falls City, NE (2024 Update)
- Falls City Solar Installation Cost: $23,516
- 25-Year Savings: $18,074
- Payback Period: 16.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Falls City
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Falls City.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Falls City typically cost around 4.The average Falls City homeowner needs a 9.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $23,516 with the federal tax credit, or $33,628 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Falls City depending on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Falls City find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
To get a free quote from a vetted solar installer in Falls City, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Falls City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-22,267 |
| 3 years | $-19,767 |
| 5 years | $-17,268 |
| 7 years | $-14,769 |
| 9 years | $-12,269 |
| 11 years | $-9,770 |
| 13 years | $-7,270 |
| 15 years | $-4,771 |
| 17 years | $-2,272 |
| 19 years | $228 |
| 21 years | $2,727 |
| 23 years | $5,226 |
| 25 years | $7,726 |
Top Solar Installers in Falls City
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra energy and expertise. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you're searching for a solar company in Falls City, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Falls City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Falls City
Although the average cost of a solar system in Falls City is $23,516, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,580. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Falls City average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Falls City, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Falls City homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Falls City, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.72 | $15,637 | $7,805 | 16.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $10,808 | 16.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $14,011 | 16.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $17,414 | 15.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $21,018 | 15.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $24,823 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $28,828 | 14.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $33,033 | 14.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Falls City, NE Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Falls City?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Falls City?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go 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 a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.