Lawrence, KS Solar Panels
Solar Power in Lawrence
Lawrence homeowners have watched electricity costs climb — Kansas electricity prices have risen 11% from 2020 to 2024, with residential rates now sitting at 14.22 cents per kWh. That kind of increase leads many homeowners to look more closely at their energy options, including home solar panels.
This guide covers what you need to know about solar installation in Lawrence, KS — how it works, what the process looks like, and what to expect as a local homeowner.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Lawrence, KS?
Using real installation data from Lawrence and surrounding areas — including Eudora, Baldwin City, and Lecompton — this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar panels would cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Lawrence electricity rates have risen 9.2% since 2021 — solar panels help homeowners lock in more predictable energy costs and reduce dependence on the grid.
- A typical Lawrence home can save around $51,000 over 25 years with solar, with monthly savings starting around $117 for an average-sized home.
- Lawrence homeowners can go solar with no upfront cost through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — starting at just $90/month with maintenance included.
Lawrence Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Lawrence have been climbing — and Kansas rates have risen roughly 9.2% since 2021, reaching 14.2 cents per kWh in 2024.
Kansas rates, while still below the national average of 16.5 cents per kWh in 2024, have followed the same upward trend. That gap has been narrowing steadily year over year, as the chart alongside shows.
Solar panels allow Lawrence homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing how much power they draw from the grid — and how exposed they are to future rate increases outside their control.
Over a system’s lifetime, that protection from rising rates can add up significantly. Homeowners who go solar lock in more predictable energy costs, regardless of where utility prices head in the years ahead.
Price of Energy: Kansas vs National Average
Lawrence Area Utility Providers
In Lawrence, KS, Evergy is the primary electric utility serving most residents. Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — Evergy’s residential rate was 13.10¢ per kWh.
Evergy’s 2023 rate of 13.10¢ per kWh sits just below the Kansas state average of 13.40¢ and notably below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh — a reflection of the region’s relatively stable energy mix.
Even at lower-than-national-average rates, Lawrence homeowners still spend thousands annually on electricity. Solar can help offset that ongoing cost, giving homeowners more predictability and less dependence on utility pricing over time.
Lawrence Utilities Electricity Rates
Kansas Solar Incentives
Lawrence homeowners still have access to meaningful solar incentives in Kansas, even as the federal residential solar tax credit has been eliminated by recent changes to federal tax law.
Available incentives include a federal battery storage tax credit (30% on qualifying systems), Evergy’s Home Battery Storage Pilot Program offering a free 16 kWh battery to qualifying customers, and a state cogeneration tax credit for Kansas business owners investing in renewable energy facilities.
For those considering a solar lease, Palmetto’s LightReach program handles the commercial tax credit on its end and passes the savings along through lower monthly payments, simplifying the incentive landscape considerably.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Battery Storage Tax Credit (Section 25D) | Tax Credit | Lawrence homeowners can claim a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of a new battery storage system (3 kWh or larger), available as a standalone credit even without pairing with a new solar installation. | Learn More |
| Evergy Home Battery Storage Pilot Program | Rebate | Evergy provides qualifying residential customers in Lawrence with a free 16 kWh home battery storage system (valued at ~$18,000) with only a $10/month program fee, through a pilot program running through 2026. | Learn More |
| Kansas Electric Cogeneration Facility Tax Credit | Tax Credit | Kansas businesses investing in new renewable electric cogeneration facilities can claim a state tax credit of 10% on the first $50 million invested and 5% on amounts above $50 million, taken in 10 equal annual installments. | Learn More |
The federal Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit under IRS Code Section 25D provides a 30% tax credit on the full installed cost of a new battery storage system with a capacity of 3 kWh or greater. Critically, this credit remains fully available in 2026 — unlike the residential solar ITC, which was eliminated — and can be claimed on a standalone battery purchase, meaning you do not need to pair the battery with a new solar system to qualify.
To claim the credit, homeowners file IRS Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits) with their federal tax return for the year the battery system is placed in service. For example, a $10,000 battery installation would generate a $3,000 direct reduction in your federal tax liability. There is no dollar cap on the credit amount, making it especially valuable for larger battery systems.
The Section 25D battery storage credit is scheduled to remain at 30% through 2032, then phase down to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034, before sunsetting entirely after 2034 unless Congress acts to extend it. Kansas does not offer any state-level battery storage rebates or incentives, making this federal credit the primary financial incentive available to homeowners in Lawrence adding battery storage.
Evergy’s Home Battery Storage Pilot Program offers a limited number of qualifying residential customers a free 16 kWh home battery storage system — valued at approximately $18,000 — at no upfront cost. Evergy owns, installs, operates, and maintains the battery system throughout the pilot. The only cost to the customer is a $10 monthly program fee. The battery can help lower energy costs and provide backup power for essential lighting and appliances during outages.
Because this is a research and development pilot program, availability is limited and enrollment is not guaranteed. Interested Evergy customers in Lawrence should contact Evergy directly to inquire about current availability and eligibility requirements. The pilot program is scheduled to run through the end of 2026.
At the end of 2026, participants will have three options: (1) transfer ownership and maintenance of the battery to you, with an agreement to provide Evergy access to energy data and grid control during emergencies (with compensation if the battery supports the grid); (2) purchase the battery at its depreciated value with no further obligations to Evergy; or (3) request that Evergy remove the battery at no cost to you.
Kansas offers a state-level tax credit for businesses and taxpayers who invest in new renewable electric cogeneration facilities, including solar energy generation facilities. The credit equals 10% of the qualified investment for the first $50 million invested, and 5% of any qualified investment exceeding $50 million. This is a commercial/business incentive and is not available to residential homeowners.
The credit is taken in ten equal annual installments, beginning with the tax year in which the taxpayer places the new renewable electric cogeneration facility into service. This phased structure allows businesses to offset their Kansas state tax liability over a decade, making large-scale solar investments more financially attractive.
Businesses in Lawrence considering a significant solar or renewable energy investment should consult the Kansas Department of Revenue and a qualified tax professional to confirm eligibility and ensure proper documentation of the qualified investment. The official program details and application information are available through the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Kansas incentives.
Get a Free QuoteLawrence Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Lawrence, KS enjoys around 215 sunny days per year, but seasonal clouds and storms affect output. The right solar system can still generate significant energy year-round.
Solar Production in Lawrence by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Lawrence
We’ve mapped solar installations across Lawrence, KS so you can see just how many of your neighbors have already made the switch. Explore the map below to discover which neighborhoods and communities are leading the way toward cleaner, more affordable energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’d like to go solar in Lawrence without a large upfront cost, Palmetto offers a solar lease through its LightReach program — available to customers served by both Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro. With a lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount (for example, $90/month for a medium-sized home) rather than purchasing the system outright. Palmetto owns the panels, handles all maintenance, and backs your system with a 90% production guarantee.
Compared to a cash purchase, leasing removes the need to manage repairs, monitor system performance on your own, or wait years to recoup your investment. When you buy outright, you take on full responsibility for the system — including any maintenance costs that arise over its 25+ year lifespan. With a lease, those responsibilities stay with Palmetto.
It’s also worth noting the difference between a lease and a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): with a lease, your monthly payment is fixed regardless of how much energy your system produces. With a PPA, you pay per kilowatt-hour generated, so your bill may vary by season. In Kansas, Palmetto currently offers a lease — not a PPA — giving you predictable, consistent monthly costs. To learn more about how these options compare, visit our solar buy or lease guide.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Lawrence homeowners. With around 215 sunny days per year and 5.0 average peak sun hours daily, Lawrence has solid solar potential. Kansas electricity rates have risen over 9% since 2021, and a typical Lawrence home can save around $51,000 over 25 years with solar.
Upfront cost doesn’t have to be a barrier either. Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease lets Lawrence homeowners go solar with no money down, starting at just $90/month — so you can start saving from day one without a large investment.
Yes, Lawrence homeowners served by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have access to monthly net metering. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you use in a given month, the excess energy is credited to your account at the utility’s monthly system average cost of energy per kilowatt-hour — which may be approximately 2–4 cents/kWh.
It’s important to note there is no annual true-up — unused credits do not roll over month to month at the full retail rate. If you’re on a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate, netting only occurs within each TOU period, and any excess is credited at the system average cost of energy.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Lawrence. Research from Zillow found that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a median-priced Lawrence home, that could represent a meaningful boost at resale.
It’s worth noting that this benefit typically applies to owned systems, not leased panels. If you purchase your solar system outright, the added value is generally reflected in your home’s appraised price when you sell.
The most accessible way for Lawrence homeowners to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting at $90/month for a medium-sized home. Palmetto owns the system and handles all maintenance.
For those preferring a cash purchase, a typical Lawrence system runs around $23,280 for an average home. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For Lawrence homeowners, solar can make strong financial sense — especially through a lease. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, your monthly payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you can start saving from day one with no upfront investment required.
For those who purchase outright, a typical Lawrence home can save around $51,000 over 25 years, with a payback period of roughly 13–14 years. Either way, with Kansas electricity rates rising over 9% since 2021, going solar helps protect against future rate increases.
Palmetto is a top choice for solar installation in Lawrence, KS. As a national company with a strong local install network, we’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states and maintain an approval rating over 85%. Lawrence homeowners like Ne Thomas and Jim Martin have shared positive experiences with our installation process and ongoing savings.
We offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, starting at just $90/month for an average-sized home, with maintenance and a 90% production guarantee included.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one fixed monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 7.70 kW system in Lawrence, KS, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $90/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments. Since the lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, Lawrence homeowners can start saving from day one.