Summary of Kansas solar incentives 2021
Kansas has not had a strong history in supporting home solar power, or even renewable energy more broadly. In 2015, the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law was repealed, and a voluntary “goal” for renewable adoption was put into place. In 2019, the state’s largest utility company, Evergy, got the Corporation Commission to approve monthly fees added to the bills of homeowners with solar panels.
That ruling was subsequently overturned by the Kansas Supreme Court, but even without the additional fees, adding solar panels to a home in Kansas is not the great financial decision it is in many other states.
That doesn’t mean Kansas is without incentives for solar. Specifically, the state offers both solar net metering and a property tax exemption for the value a solar installation adds to your home.
On this page, you can:
-
Learn what solar incentives are available to Kansas homeowners
-
See what Kansas solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
-
Find out how much these incentives and/or Kansas solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Kansas
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.
Net energy metering in Kansas
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Current Kansas net metering law says that solar production will be recorded throughout the month, and if the customer generates more kilowatt-hours (kWh) than they use, they’ll be paid for the excess energy at the utility’s “system average cost” (wholesale rate) — about 2.1 cents per kWh, compared to 11.3 cents/kWh retail.
That means you get paid much lower than retail if your panels generate more than you need during a whole month. Folks in Kansas have a reason to choose smaller solar panel installations that won’t produce more than their usage during the sunniest month of the year, or they risk earning less money for the kilowatt-hours above and beyond that number.
That’s Kansas net metering as it stands, and there aren’t any major plans afoot to shake it up. There’s no guarantee that will go on indefinitely, though. Kansas has had a bit of a bumpy history with net metering.
As we mentioned above, in 2019, Evergy (formerly Westar and KCP&L), the largest investor-owned utility in Kansas, got approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission to levy additional monthly fees on solar owners. Thankfully, that approval was stuck down by the state Supreme Court in early 2020.
The Court was pretty clear in its decision that Evergy’s attempt to charge solar owners more than other customers was “price discrimination” that Kansas law “clearly prohibits.”
Kansas solar rebates
Solar rebates in Kansas? Ha, no. There is one current solar incentive worth mentioning, though...
Property tax exemption
Fortunately the Kansas legislature has passed a solar property tax exemption. While this won’t save you any money upfront, it will save you thousands over the long haul.
Installing a solar power system adds thousands of dollars in value to your home. With the property tax exemption in place, you won’t have to pay a single extra penny in property taxes for that home value increase. That saves you thousands over the three-decade life of your solar power system!
Cost of solar panels in your part of Kansas after all applicable solar incentives
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 9.4kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
8.5-10.3 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$33,643-$41,119
Average size system installed in KS in 2021
9.4kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Kansas
15 solar companies in Kansas provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.72 42 Reviews
Latest review
Dillon Noller, over 1 month
We shopped around for solar installers and King Solar had everything we wanted for a great price. Mark, Adam and their entire team were excellent from the design stage to project completion and beyond. They really care and it shows. I can’t recommend them enough!
Read more
Latest review
Dillon Noller, over 1 month
We shopped around for solar installers and King Solar had everything we wanted for a great price. Mark, Adam and their entire team were excellent from the design stage to project completion and beyond. They really care and it shows. I can’t recommend them enough!
4.69 33 Reviews
Latest review
Bishop Family, 1 week ago
Great Product and Service All Around!
Read more
Latest review
Bishop Family, 1 week ago
Great Product and Service All Around!
4.66 28 Reviews
Latest review
Jack Garven, over 1 month
Customer service and installation were excellent. From the very beginning when we sat down to design what we wanted on our house, to the installation that was done quick and professionally, to finally the thorough follow up we get, even to this day!
Read more
Latest review
Jack Garven, over 1 month
Customer service and installation were excellent. From the very beginning when we sat down to design what we wanted on our house, to the installation that was done quick and professionally, to finally the thorough follow up we get, even to this day!
4.64 1,453 Reviews
Latest review
Igor, 3 days ago
I got my panels installed in 6 hours vs. 1.5 days since Blue Raven brought 2 crews and they finished by 3pm! The work quality is good, county inspection got passed in 1 minute! Very happy so far!
Read more
Latest review
Igor, 3 days ago
I got my panels installed in 6 hours vs. 1.5 days since Blue Raven brought 2 crews and they finished by 3pm! The work quality is good, county inspection got passed in 1 minute! Very happy so far!
4.63 26 Reviews
Latest review
Omar4438, over 1 month
From beginning to end I had great service. Centerpoint dragged their feet as expected but Rising Sun Solar did everything within their power to make sure eveything was taken care of. The owner came over to my house personally to ensure that my wife and I knew how the entire systems works and he also reassured me that they will continue giving us the best possible service even after after they've installed my solar panels and they're uup and running. This is a legit review from a customer in Magnolia TX btw.
Read more
Latest review
Omar4438, over 1 month
From beginning to end I had great service. Centerpoint dragged their feet as expected but Rising Sun Solar did everything within their power to make sure eveything was taken care of. The owner came over to my house personally to ensure that my wife and I knew how the entire systems works and he also reassured me that they will continue giving us the best possible service even after after they've installed my solar panels and they're uup and running. This is a legit review from a customer in Magnolia TX btw.
4.38 9 Reviews
Latest review
Abenteuer Acres, over 1 month
Jae did a great job helping me to understand what I needed and what to expect.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$11,250 ($2.25 per watt)
Latest review
Abenteuer Acres, over 1 month
Jae did a great job helping me to understand what I needed and what to expect.
4.25 5 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Very pleased with our solar panels!! We now have the lowest monthly electric bill that we have had for many years!! JSUNPV company really cares about finding the best set up of solar panel's for the customer, and wants you to be completely happy with them. Jason really believe's in saving energy and money for his customer's. It"s not just a sales pitch to sell a product and he is not high pressure because he believe's in what he does.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Very pleased with our solar panels!! We now have the lowest monthly electric bill that we have had for many years!! JSUNPV company really cares about finding the best set up of solar panel's for the customer, and wants you to be completely happy with them. Jason really believe's in saving energy and money for his customer's. It"s not just a sales pitch to sell a product and he is not high pressure because he believe's in what he does.
4.25 5 Reviews
Latest review
Jenna Harbison, over 1 month
Go with Kaw Valley to get your solar panels, you won't be disappointed! They have great customer service, and make the entire process so easy. The installation was smooth and the panels are great quality! We are so happy with our purchase!
Read more
Latest review
Jenna Harbison, over 1 month
Go with Kaw Valley to get your solar panels, you won't be disappointed! They have great customer service, and make the entire process so easy. The installation was smooth and the panels are great quality! We are so happy with our purchase!
Latest review
Mondollo, 3 days ago
Best price and equipment
3.98 202 Reviews
Latest review
Missy904, 3 days ago
My husband I decided to get solar to do our part in reducing our carbon footprint and to hopefully have some power from the battery when the power goes out. However, now I am wishing I could rewind time and say no to this decision we have made. We felt like we had a very good and honest salesman; however, he told us we wouldn't get charged if the system wasn't working. He also told us it would take approximately 6 weeks to have our system installed. He didn't tell us that there would be several electric panels attached to the side wall of our house. BUT.... we signed our contract to get solar with Sunpro at the end of March today is September 23 the panels are on our home but not working. Today I get charged by the loan company. So not only am I having to pay my full electric bill now I'm having to pay for a loan too. That's $530 a month for both. They were first telling me they're waiting on a meter swap from my Electric company which our meter was swapped out in June. Then I was waiting on the Tesla battery which we have now had for a few months. Now they're telling me they are AGAIN waiting on a meter swap from my electric company. The guys that were doing the electrical components didn't seem like they knew what they were doing. It took them multiple attempts to get things installed, they put random holes in our brick wall (which someone did fix after complaining), they left gaps in the brick from where the old meter was and filled it in with ugly orange foam that is extremely visible (was told a while ago that someone was going to fix that). No one told me that several electric panels would be attached to our home let alone ask me where they needed to go. The side of our house faces the road, right where they installed all this crap. Now as soon as you pull up to our house you see all these panels and foam (looks horrible). I am a VERY unsatisfied customer. And now since I am paying for something that is not working I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I was also told by our salesman that we could pay for a portion of our loan with the tax credit which will bring our payments back down after they increase in a year. After hearing these other reviews I hope that's actually true. To me seems like this company is more concerned with getting paid than customer service.
Read more
Latest review
Missy904, 3 days ago
My husband I decided to get solar to do our part in reducing our carbon footprint and to hopefully have some power from the battery when the power goes out. However, now I am wishing I could rewind time and say no to this decision we have made. We felt like we had a very good and honest salesman; however, he told us we wouldn't get charged if the system wasn't working. He also told us it would take approximately 6 weeks to have our system installed. He didn't tell us that there would be several electric panels attached to the side wall of our house. BUT.... we signed our contract to get solar with Sunpro at the end of March today is September 23 the panels are on our home but not working. Today I get charged by the loan company. So not only am I having to pay my full electric bill now I'm having to pay for a loan too. That's $530 a month for both. They were first telling me they're waiting on a meter swap from my Electric company which our meter was swapped out in June. Then I was waiting on the Tesla battery which we have now had for a few months. Now they're telling me they are AGAIN waiting on a meter swap from my electric company. The guys that were doing the electrical components didn't seem like they knew what they were doing. It took them multiple attempts to get things installed, they put random holes in our brick wall (which someone did fix after complaining), they left gaps in the brick from where the old meter was and filled it in with ugly orange foam that is extremely visible (was told a while ago that someone was going to fix that). No one told me that several electric panels would be attached to our home let alone ask me where they needed to go. The side of our house faces the road, right where they installed all this crap. Now as soon as you pull up to our house you see all these panels and foam (looks horrible). I am a VERY unsatisfied customer. And now since I am paying for something that is not working I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I was also told by our salesman that we could pay for a portion of our loan with the tax credit which will bring our payments back down after they increase in a year. After hearing these other reviews I hope that's actually true. To me seems like this company is more concerned with getting paid than customer service.
Useful links
Related solar news
Ben Zientara
January 26, 2021
The state of net metering in the United States in 2021
This annual report ranks the states for friendliness to home solar based on their net metering programs.
Catherine Lane
September 24, 2021
Complete review of SunPower solar panels: Are they really the best?
SunPower solar panels have an incredibly high price to match their superior specs. But are they worth it - especially if you're financing your system?
Jack Wisniewski
September 21, 2021
Is my roof good for solar? The 4 essentials installers consider and why
Prove whether your roof can accommodate solar by assessing your system size, roof space, roof material, and roof condition today.
Ben Zientara
September 20, 2021
Guide to going solar in PG&E territory
Our guide to getting solar panels for your home if you’re a Pacific Gas & Electric customer. PG&E solar programs can ensure you save a lot for years to come.
Catherine Lane
September 17, 2021
NeoVolta: Is this new solar battery brand here to stay?
NeoVolta is a solar battery manufacturing startup that produces safe, high performance batteries at a reasonable price. Are they right for your home?