Summary of Kansas solar incentives 2020
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 In 2015, the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law was repealed, and a voluntary “goal” for renewable adoption was put into place.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:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Kansas homeowners
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See what Kansas solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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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% in 2021. Unless new legislation is introduced in Washington D.C., this program will be gone in 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
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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 2020
9.4kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Kansas
12 solar companies in Kansas provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
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!
Latest review
Rjackson, over 1 month
Was referred to them by a neighbor.
4.57 21 Reviews
Latest review
Francisco Perez, 2 weeks ago
Scott and the technical support team was there for us from the beginning to the end of the installation minimizing issues. Keep up the great support even through this difficult COVID pandemic. Thanks again for everything.
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Latest review
Francisco Perez, 2 weeks ago
Scott and the technical support team was there for us from the beginning to the end of the installation minimizing issues. Keep up the great support even through this difficult COVID pandemic. Thanks again for everything.
4.53 129 Reviews
Latest review
Les Peterson, 1 week ago
Sunpro Solar was my choice because of their warrantees of the panels, inverters, and installation. They also price matched the competition which had a much less warrantee. They took care of all the details with installation, inspections and start up with Public Service Company of New Mexico.
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Latest review
Les Peterson, 1 week ago
Sunpro Solar was my choice because of their warrantees of the panels, inverters, and installation. They also price matched the competition which had a much less warrantee. They took care of all the details with installation, inspections and start up with Public Service Company of New Mexico.
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.
4.17 4 Reviews
Latest review
Body shop, over 1 month
I chose Solar Energy and had 2500kw system installed by them they are local and every dependable. I have had my system since 2013 and have had no problems what so ever. I have consulted with them several time with questions about my system and they always are very informant. I would highly recommend Solar Energy for you Solar needs.
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Latest review
Body shop, over 1 month
I chose Solar Energy and had 2500kw system installed by them they are local and every dependable. I have had my system since 2013 and have had no problems what so ever. I have consulted with them several time with questions about my system and they always are very informant. I would highly recommend Solar Energy for you Solar needs.
3.93 13 Reviews
Latest review
Rusty, 1 week ago
Our salesman Mike Mandler was extremely knowledgeable about the systems, but was also forthcoming about what he didn’t know and was able to follow up quickly with answers. He spent a lot of time going through some options, and there was little to no pressure involved. Thank you
Read more
Latest review
Rusty, 1 week ago
Our salesman Mike Mandler was extremely knowledgeable about the systems, but was also forthcoming about what he didn’t know and was able to follow up quickly with answers. He spent a lot of time going through some options, and there was little to no pressure involved. Thank you
3.93 2 Reviews
Latest review
Ben Rains, over 1 month
After interviewing with 10 different solar companies we decided to go with Jay and Solar Planet Inc and are very satisfied that we did. There was not any surprises along the way. His team was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Some of the companies we spoke with felt very forceful and strictly about the sales. Jay was truly genuine in helping us to best meet our energy needs.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$11,250 ($2.25 per watt)
Latest review
Ben Rains, over 1 month
After interviewing with 10 different solar companies we decided to go with Jay and Solar Planet Inc and are very satisfied that we did. There was not any surprises along the way. His team was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Some of the companies we spoke with felt very forceful and strictly about the sales. Jay was truly genuine in helping us to best meet our energy needs.
3.75 1 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Very Professional, courteous, and fast. Excellent job of installing and the system works great.
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Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Very Professional, courteous, and fast. Excellent job of installing and the system works great.
3.58 1 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I had Lawrence Wind & Solar (now LZ Flooring Plus) install ten solar panels on the roof of my garage. They were installed for personal, residential use with the city requiring a second meter. I was impressed with the product, the installation and the follow-up service provided by Lawrence Wind & Solar. This was the first solar installation for our city electric utility department, so a representative of Lawrence Wind & Solar met with city personnel and visited with the city council to adapt their billing system to the new solar service I added. This took many hours of study and explanation on the part of the Lawrence Wind & Solar representative, but I feel the billing from the city is now fair and correct for my circumstance. The panels heeded to be removed and reinstalled when I had after-storm roof replacement and there were no problems with that process.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I had Lawrence Wind & Solar (now LZ Flooring Plus) install ten solar panels on the roof of my garage. They were installed for personal, residential use with the city requiring a second meter. I was impressed with the product, the installation and the follow-up service provided by Lawrence Wind & Solar. This was the first solar installation for our city electric utility department, so a representative of Lawrence Wind & Solar met with city personnel and visited with the city council to adapt their billing system to the new solar service I added. This took many hours of study and explanation on the part of the Lawrence Wind & Solar representative, but I feel the billing from the city is now fair and correct for my circumstance. The panels heeded to be removed and reinstalled when I had after-storm roof replacement and there were no problems with that process.
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