Solar Guide
Solar in Wichita
Wichita homeowners are discovering solar energy’s potential as Kansas electricity prices have increased 11% from 2020 to 2024. With abundant sunshine and rising energy costs, solar installation offers a practical path toward energy independence.
Understanding your options is the first step. Our comprehensive guide on home solar panels helps Wichita residents make informed decisions about this clean energy investment.
Key Takeaways
- Wichita receives excellent solar irradiance year-round with 300+ sunny days annually, making solar panels highly productive.
- Kansas homeowners save an average of $6,984 through the 30% federal tax credit and property tax exemption.
- Evergy provides net metering for solar customers allowing you to earn credits for excess energy your panels produce.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from Wichita neighborhoods like Riverside, College Hill, and Delano. Get personalized pricing based on actual local projects, not estimates. See what your neighbors paid for solar.
System
Cost
Savings
Wichita Electricity Prices
Understanding Wichita, Kansas electricity costs helps homeowners make informed energy decisions as rates continue their upward trend.
Kansas electricity rates have risen from 13.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.2 cents in 2024, reflecting ongoing increases.
Solar panel installation allows Wichita homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on utility rate fluctuations and grid power.
Over decades, solar systems can provide stable energy costs while utility rates continue rising, offering predictable monthly energy expenses.
Price of Energy: Kansas vs National Average
Wichita Area Utility Providers
Wichita residents served by Evergy enjoy electricity rates around 13¢ per kWh in 2023, notably below both Kansas state and national averages.
Kansas benefits from diverse energy sources including wind and natural gas, helping keep Evergy’s rates competitive compared to the 16¢ national average.
Lower electricity rates mean longer solar payback periods, but Wichita’s abundant sunshine and available incentives still make solar a smart long-term investment.
Wichita Utilities Electricity Rates
Kansas Solar Incentives
Wichita, Kansas homeowners can significantly reduce solar panel installation costs through available solar incentives in Kansas and federal programs.
Kansas offers a 10-year property tax exemption, protecting homeowners from increased assessments due to solar panel installation. Evergy provides net metering for residential systems up to 15 kW AC.
These incentives change frequently and have specific requirements. Research current programs thoroughly and consider acting promptly to maximize available benefits.
$6,984
Average savings in Kansas solar rebates
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| 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 |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
Kansas offers a property tax exemption for renewable energy systems, including solar installations. Under K.S.A. 79-201 Eleventh, homeowners who install solar panels or other qualifying renewable energy technologies can exempt the added value of these systems from their property taxes. This means you won’t pay additional property taxes on the increased home value that results from your solar installation.
The exemption covers wind, solar, photovoltaic, biomass, hydropower, geothermal and landfill gas resources or technologies. For new properties installed after December 31, 2016, the exemption lasts for 10 years from the date of installation. There are no specific dollar amount limits mentioned in the statute, so the full added value of your renewable energy system would be exempt from property taxation during the exemption period.
This incentive helps make solar more affordable by ensuring your property tax bill doesn’t increase when you add clean energy systems to your home. The exemption is automatic once your system is installed and assessed, though you should verify with your local county appraiser that the exemption has been properly applied to your property tax assessment.
Evergy Net Metering is a billing arrangement available to solar customers served by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro utilities. This program allows homeowners with solar panels to send excess electricity they generate back to the grid and receive credits on their monthly electric bill. When your solar system produces more power than your home uses during the day, that extra energy flows back to the utility grid.
The financial benefit works on a monthly settlement basis, meaning any excess energy you generate is credited at the utility’s monthly system average cost of energy – typically around 2-4 cents per kilowatt-hour through what’s called the RECA rider. This rate is significantly lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity from the grid. For customers on time-of-use (TOU) rate plans, the netting of your energy consumption and solar production only happens within each specific time period, and any excess generation during those periods receives the same low credit rate.
Important considerations include that this is not traditional net metering where excess credits roll over from month to month – instead, settlements occur monthly with no annual true-up period. The credit rate for excess generation is substantially lower than retail electricity rates, which means maximizing your solar system’s value comes from using the energy you generate rather than sending it back to the grid. Homeowners should work with their solar installer to properly size their system to match their energy usage patterns for optimal financial benefits.
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 QuoteWichita 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.
Wichita’s abundant sunshine and moderate temperatures create excellent solar conditions year-round. Despite occasional storms and seasonal variations, proper system design maximizes energy production efficiently.
Solar Production in Wichita 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 Installations in Wichita
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to bring you this interactive view of Wichita’s solar adoption. Explore the hexagon heatmap to discover which neighborhoods have embraced clean energy and see how your community is leading Kansas toward a sustainable future.
Leasing Solar Panels
Wichita homeowners served by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have solar leasing options available through Palmetto’s financing programs. With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount based on your system’s estimated production rather than purchasing panels outright.
Solar leasing offers several advantages over cash purchases: no large upfront investment, professional maintenance included, and immediate energy savings without worrying about system repairs or performance issues. Comparing solar leasing versus buying helps determine the best option for your situation.
Our LightReach program makes solar accessible with no down payment while still providing monthly electricity bill reductions. This approach eliminates the complexity of ownership while delivering clean energy benefits to your Wichita home.
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 in Wichita, Kansas due to excellent sunshine conditions and available financial incentives. The city receives over 300 sunny days annually, creating ideal conditions for solar energy production.
Kansas homeowners benefit from the 30% federal tax credit, property tax exemptions, and net metering through Evergy. With average system costs around $16,296 after incentives and typical savings of $55,000 over 25 years, solar provides strong long-term value for Wichita residents.
Yes, Wichita has net metering through Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro utilities. This program allows solar customers to send excess electricity back to the grid and receive credits on their monthly bills.
However, excess energy is credited at the utility’s monthly system average cost of energy (typically 2-4 cents per kWh), which is significantly lower than retail electricity rates. Credits are settled monthly with no annual rollover, making it important to size your system to match your energy usage for optimal savings.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Wichita, KS. Research from Zillow shows homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
For a median-priced Wichita home valued at $150,000, this could mean an additional $6,150 in resale value. Kansas also offers a 10-year property tax exemption, so you won’t pay higher property taxes on the added value from your solar installation.
Solar panel costs in Wichita range from $12,786 to $19,445 after federal tax credits, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical 7.7 kW system costs around $16,296 after the 30% federal tax credit.
System pricing varies based on roof characteristics, energy usage, and equipment selection. Kansas homeowners also benefit from a 10-year property tax exemption, reducing overall solar investment costs while providing long-term energy savings.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for most Wichita homeowners. With abundant sunshine and Kansas incentives, typical solar systems pay for themselves in 9-10 years through electricity bill savings.
After the payback period, homeowners enjoy essentially free electricity for the remaining 15+ years of their system’s 25-year warranty. Combined with increased home value and environmental benefits, solar provides strong long-term financial returns in Wichita’s favorable conditions.
We are Palmetto Solar, a national company with a local focus serving Wichita homeowners. With over 13 years of experience and 20,000+ satisfied customers across 31 states, we bring proven expertise to Kansas solar installations.
Our comprehensive service includes industry-leading financing options, professional installation through our trusted local network, and ongoing support throughout your solar journey. We make going solar simple and affordable for Wichita families.