Wichita, KS Solar Panels
Solar Power in Wichita
If you’re a Wichita homeowner thinking about solar, you’re in the right place. Kansas electricity prices have increased 11% from 2020 to 2024 — and that trend shows no signs of slowing down. Solar panels for your home can help you get ahead of those rising costs for years to come.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about solar installation in Wichita — from how the process works to what you can realistically expect to save. Let’s keep it simple.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Wichita, KS?
Based on real solar installations across Wichita and surrounding areas like Andover, Derby, and Maize, this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar could cost — and save — for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Wichita gets 5.4 peak sun hours per day — making it a strong candidate for solar, with average homeowner savings of around $55,000 over 25 years.
- Kansas electricity prices have risen 9% since 2021 — solar can help Wichita homeowners lock in more predictable energy costs and reduce reliance on the grid.
- Leasing solar starts as low as $90/month with no upfront cost — Palmetto owns the system, handles all maintenance, and backs production with a 90% guarantee.
Wichita Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Wichita, KS have been climbing steadily — and local homeowners are starting to take notice.
Kansas electricity rates rose from 13.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.2 cents per kWh in 2024 — an increase of roughly 9.2%. Meanwhile, national rates climbed even faster, hitting 16.5 cents per kWh in 2024.
Solar panels can help offset those rising costs. Rather than paying more to your utility each year, you generate your own power — reducing how much electricity you need to purchase from the grid.
Over time, that adds up significantly. Many Wichita homeowners lock in more predictable energy costs for 25 years or more, shielding themselves from future rate increases and reducing reliance on the traditional utility grid.
Price of Energy: Kansas vs National Average
Wichita Area Utility Providers
Wichita homeowners are primarily served by Evergy Kansas South. In 2023, their average electricity rate was 13.0¢ per kWh — slightly below the Kansas state average of 13.40¢ and well below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
Wichita’s rates are relatively affordable compared to the rest of the country. Even so, Kansas electricity prices have risen steadily in recent years — meaning what you pay today may not reflect what you’ll pay in five or ten years.
Generating your own solar energy can reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid. That means less exposure to future rate increases — and more predictability in your monthly energy costs over time.
Wichita Utilities Electricity Rates
Kansas Solar Incentives
Wichita homeowners and businesses still have access to meaningful solar incentives in Kansas — even after recent changes to federal residential tax credits.
The available incentives include a federal battery storage tax credit (Section 25D) for homeowners, a free battery program through Evergy, and a state tax credit for Kansas businesses investing in renewable energy — each with different eligibility requirements.
If you lease solar through Palmetto’s LightReach program, Palmetto applies the commercial tax credit on the backend and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — no credit navigation required.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Battery Storage Tax Credit (Section 25D) | Tax Credit | Wichita 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 Wichita 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 in Wichita 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 Kansas homeowners 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 Wichita 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 Wichita considering a significant solar or renewable energy investment in Kansas 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 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 enjoys over 230 sunny days per year, making it an excellent candidate for solar. Even with occasional storms and seasonal shifts, the right system can maximize year-round energy production.
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 Panel Systems in Wichita
We’ve mapped solar installations across Wichita so you can see which neighborhoods are making the switch. Click any hexagon to explore how many homes in that area have gone solar. Your neighbors might already be on their way!
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’re a Wichita homeowner served by Evergy Kansas Central or Evergy Metro, you have access to Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease — a straightforward way to go solar without paying for the system upfront.
With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount — for example, around $90/month for a medium-sized home — rather than a large upfront cash purchase. Palmetto owns the system, handles all maintenance, and backs your production with a 90% guarantee. That means no surprise repair bills, no system monitoring headaches, and no large investment to recoup before you start seeing savings. Learn more about leasing vs. buying solar.
Compared to a cash purchase, leasing is simpler from day one. You start saving on your electricity bill as soon as the panels are active, with predictable monthly costs and none of the ownership responsibilities. For many Wichita homeowners, that peace of mind is just as valuable as the savings themselves.
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 strong financial sense for Wichita homeowners. With 5.4 peak sun hours per day and over 230 sunny days annually, Wichita is well-suited for solar production. Kansas electricity rates have risen roughly 9% since 2021, and the average Wichita homeowner can save around $55,000 over 25 years with a properly sized system.
Upfront cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease lets Wichita homeowners go solar with no money down, starting at around $90/month — with savings beginning from day one and no maintenance responsibilities.
Yes, Wichita homeowners served by Evergy Kansas Central or Evergy Metro have access to monthly net metering. If your solar system produces 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 — which may be approximately 2–4 cents per kWh.
It’s worth noting that this credit rate is lower than the standard retail electricity rate, and there is no annual true-up settlement. Excess credits are settled monthly, so production timing matters when sizing your system.
Yes, solar panels can increase home value in Wichita. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $250,000 home in Wichita, that could mean roughly $10,000 in added value.
It’s worth noting that this benefit typically applies to owned systems, not leased panels. If you purchase your solar system outright, that added equity can be a meaningful long-term financial advantage when it comes time to sell.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Wichita homeowners can go solar for as low as $90/month with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns the system, handles all maintenance, and backs production with a 90% guarantee.
For a cash purchase, a medium-sized system in Wichita runs approximately $23,280 (7.70 kW). Note that following the Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Wichita homeowners, solar is financially worthwhile — especially with a lease. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you can start saving from day one with no upfront investment required.
Over 25 years, the average Wichita homeowner saves around $55,000. With Kansas electricity rates rising roughly 9% since 2021, locking in a predictable monthly payment helps protect against future rate increases.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Wichita homeowners. We’re a national company with a local installation network, and we’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%. Wichita residents 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 — starting at just $90/month with no upfront cost, a 90% production guarantee, and full maintenance coverage. We handle everything so you don’t have to.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Wichita homeowners can go solar for approximately $90/month — with no upfront cost. That estimate is based on a typical 7.70 kW system using Kansas’ solar production ratio. One simple monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee.
Because Palmetto owns the system, the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) still applies — and those savings are passed directly to you through lower monthly payments. For most Wichita homeowners, the monthly lease payment is less than their current electricity bill, so savings start from day one.