Topeka, KS Solar Panels
Solar Power in Topeka
Topeka homeowners are discovering that solar energy offers a smart path to long-term savings and energy independence. With Kansas electricity prices increasing 11% from 2020 to 2024, solar panels for home use help stabilize rising energy costs.
This guide covers local incentives, system costs, and the installation process specific to Topeka residents.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Topeka, KS?
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from Topeka homes—including neighborhoods like Potwin, College Hill, and Highland Park—to show you accurate pricing. Get personalized estimates based on actual local projects, not national averages.
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You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Topeka solar systems typically cost $18,266-$27,778 depending on home size, with payback periods around 13 years.
- Kansas electricity rates increased 9% from 2021-2024 while solar locks in predictable energy costs for decades.
- Evergy’s net metering program credits excess solar production and Kansas offers a 10-year property tax exemption for solar.
Topeka Electricity Prices
Understanding your electricity costs is the first step toward making informed energy decisions for your Topeka home.
Kansas electricity rates have risen from 13.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.2 cents per kWh in 2024, according to state utility data. That’s a 9% increase in just three years.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, helping homeowners avoid these unpredictable rate increases. Once your system is installed, sunlight becomes your primary energy source at no additional charge.
Over 25 years, solar can shield your household from future rate hikes while reducing your reliance on the grid. This long-term stability makes energy costs more predictable and manageable.
Price of Energy: Kansas vs National Average
Topeka Area Utility Providers
Understanding local electricity costs helps Topeka homeowners make informed energy decisions. Evergy serves the area with rates of 13.1¢ per kWh in 2023, below both the national average of 16.0¢ and Kansas state average of 13.4¢.
Evergy’s competitive rates reflect Kansas’ diverse energy mix, including wind power and efficient coal plants. However, utility rates historically trend upward, with regional increases averaging 2-3% annually as infrastructure and operational costs rise.
Even with below-average rates, Topeka households still spend hundreds monthly on electricity. Solar panels lock in predictable energy costs for decades, protecting against future rate increases while reducing grid dependence.
Topeka Utilities Electricity Rates
Kansas Solar Incentives
Topeka residents can reduce solar installation costs through state and local programs. Understanding available solar incentives in Kansas helps you plan your investment wisely.
Kansas offers a property tax exemption that protects homeowners from increased assessments for ten years after installation. Additionally, Evergy’s net metering program provides full-value credits for excess energy your system generates, lowering monthly electricity bills.
These incentives can change as policies evolve. Research current programs thoroughly and act when the benefits align with your energy goals.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | For 10-years after purchasing your solar panels, your property tax appraisal will not go up from the added value of solar panels. | Learn More |
Kansas offers a property tax exemption for homeowners who install solar energy systems on their property. Under K.S.A. 79-201 Eleventh, renewable energy resource or technology property—including solar and photovoltaic systems—is exempt from property taxation. This means that when you add a solar energy system to your home, the added value it brings to your property won’t increase your property tax bill.
For solar systems installed after December 31, 2016, this exemption lasts for 10 years from the date of installation. This can result in significant savings, as solar installations typically add substantial value to a home. For example, if your solar system adds $20,000 to your home’s assessed value and your local property tax rate is 1.5%, you could save approximately $300 per year in property taxes, totaling $3,000 over the 10-year exemption period.
To qualify, your solar system must be classified as renewable energy property under Kansas law. The exemption applies automatically once your system is installed and assessed, though you should verify with your county appraiser that the exemption has been properly applied to your property. This incentive works alongside other financial benefits of going solar, helping to reduce the overall cost of your investment in clean energy.
Evergy offers a monthly net metering program for Kansas homeowners with solar panels. This program allows you to send excess electricity your solar system generates back to the grid. During each billing period, your solar production is netted against your electricity consumption. Any electricity you use from the grid is charged at your normal retail rate, while any electricity you generate offsets these charges on a one-to-one basis.
If you generate more electricity than you use in a month, the excess energy (called Net Excess Generation) is credited to your account at the utility’s monthly system average cost of energy, which typically ranges from 2-4 cents per kilowatt-hour. This rate is significantly lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity. Credits are settled monthly with no annual true-up period, meaning unused credits do not roll over to future months. If you’re on a Time-of-Use rate plan, it’s important to note that your solar production and consumption are netted separately within each time period—excess generation in off-peak hours cannot offset consumption during peak hours.
This program is available to Evergy customers in both the Kansas Central and Metro service territories who install qualifying solar energy systems. The monthly settlement structure means you’ll want to size your system carefully to match your typical energy usage rather than significantly oversizing it, since excess generation receives minimal compensation.
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 QuoteTopeka 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.
Topeka’s mix of sunny summers and cloudy winters creates seasonal variation in solar output. Despite Kansas’ reputation for unpredictable weather, properly designed systems produce excellent year-round energy here.
Solar Production in Topeka 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 Topeka
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to help you explore the solar movement in Topeka. Click any hexagon to discover how many neighbors in that area have already made the switch to clean energy!
Leasing Solar Panels
Topeka homeowners served by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro can access solar through a lease arrangement. With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount based on your system’s expected production—making your energy costs predictable year-round.
Leasing offers an alternative to purchasing solar panels outright. Instead of managing equipment ownership and maintenance, you simply pay for the solar energy your system produces. The leasing company handles system upkeep, repairs, and performance monitoring throughout the agreement.
This approach makes solar accessible without large upfront costs or ongoing maintenance responsibilities. Learn more about how leasing works through Palmetto’s LightReach program, designed to simplify your transition to clean energy.
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!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Topeka homeowners. With Kansas electricity rates rising 9% from 2021-2024, solar panels help lock in predictable energy costs while reducing grid dependence. Topeka receives about 5.1 peak sun hours daily, providing solid production year-round.
A typical 7.7 kW system costs around $23,280 and can save approximately $52,000 over 25 years. Kansas offers a 10-year property tax exemption for solar installations, and Evergy provides net metering credits for excess energy production, improving your return on investment.
Yes, Topeka residents served by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have access to monthly net metering. When your solar system generates more electricity than you use, the excess energy flows back to the grid and offsets your consumption on a one-to-one basis during that billing period.
Any net excess generation remaining at month’s end is credited at the utility’s monthly system average cost of energy (typically 2-4 cents per kWh), which is significantly lower than retail rates. Credits settle monthly with no annual true-up, so sizing your system to match—not exceed—your typical usage maximizes value.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Topeka. Research from Zillow shows solar panels increase home values by an average of 4.1% nationally. For a median-priced Topeka home, this could mean thousands of dollars in added equity.
Kansas also offers a 10-year property tax exemption for solar installations, meaning your home’s increased value from solar won’t raise your property taxes during that period. This combination of higher resale value and tax protection makes solar a smart investment for Topeka homeowners planning to stay long-term or sell in the future.
Solar panel costs in Topeka typically range from $18,266 to $27,778 depending on your home size and energy needs. A medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) usually requires a 7.7 kW system costing around $23,280, with an average price of $3.02 per watt.
These prices reflect actual Palmetto installations in Kansas. Your final cost depends on your roof characteristics, energy usage, and system design. Kansas offers a 10-year property tax exemption, and Evergy’s net metering program helps maximize your savings through energy credits.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for most Topeka homeowners. A typical 7.7 kW system costs around $23,280 and can save approximately $52,000 over 25 years, with a payback period of about 13 years. After that, you enjoy free electricity for the system’s remaining life.
Kansas offers a 10-year property tax exemption, and Evergy’s net metering program credits excess energy production. With electricity rates rising 9% from 2021-2024, solar locks in predictable costs while protecting against future rate increases.
At Palmetto Solar, we bring a national presence with local expertise to every Topeka installation. We offer some of the industry’s most flexible financing options and work with a trusted network of professional installers who understand Kansas homes and weather conditions.
Our approach combines competitive pricing, quality equipment, and comprehensive support throughout your solar journey. From initial consultation through system activation, we handle permits, installation coordination, and ongoing monitoring—making your transition to clean energy straightforward and stress-free.