Summary of Nebraska solar incentives 2020
If you live in the Lincoln and Omaha areas, here’s some good news. Your utility company allows net metering to give you credits for sending your solar power back into the grid and make it pretty easy to interconnect.
However, without stronger rules protecting that net billing arrangement, the current climate could shift and homeowners who want to install solar could be S.O.L.
Nebraska is a beautiful state with lots of natural bounty to protect. But when even residents of one of the state’s most forward-thinking cities have shown tepid interest in supporting solar, where is the legislature, which with a few simple laws can spark a solar revolution in Nebraska like we’ve seen in other states?
Read on to explore the entire savings, policy, and incentive picture for home solar panel installation in Nebraska.
On this page, you can:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Nebraska homeowners
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See what Nebraska solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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Find out how much these incentives and/or Nebraska 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 Nebraska
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 Nebraska
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 to make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Nebraska requires all electric utilities to offer something called "net metering," but it doesn't meet the full definition of the term. All monthly surplus energy production (also called "net excess generation, or NEG") is applied as a credit to your next bill at whatever the utility decides is fair. Net metering is available for all solar power systems up to 25 kW in capacity on a first-come first-serve basis until net-metered systems reach a total of 1% of a utility’s peak electricity demand during the previous year.
Unfortunately, that leaves Nebraskans without a clear picture of how much they can save with solar. NEG varies from month to month, and is usually high in the summer and non-existent in the winter. In a state with full net metering, that ebb-and-flow allows you to size your solar system to meet your full annual usage and simply save credit for the excess until you need it. In Nebraska, you've got to size your system just right to be economical.
Luckily, the experts at system sizing are the installers we know. If you're in Lincoln, Omaha, or anywhere else, connect with solar installers near you to see how much you could save with solar!
Nebraska solar rebates
While Nebraska does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.
Cost of solar panels in your part of Nebraska after all applicable solar incentives
Showing data for:
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Prices based on a 9.3kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
10.4-12.7 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$30,484-$37,258
Average size system installed in NE in 2020
9.3kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Nebraska
5 solar companies in Nebraska provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.54 132 Reviews
Latest review
Markmoter25, 1 day ago
Paul Oxendine made this an easy decision for us. He was consultative, fun but not pushy. Great experience! Awesome decision and I would highly recommend Paul and his company.
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Latest review
Markmoter25, 1 day ago
Paul Oxendine made this an easy decision for us. He was consultative, fun but not pushy. Great experience! Awesome decision and I would highly recommend Paul and his company.
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 5 Reviews
Latest review
Prairie Hill-Jeanne Hevener, over 1 month
Dixon Power is great to work with! I would recommend them to anyone.<br />Renewable energy and it`s impact on the environment has always been important to Prairie Hill Learning Center since its inception. This has just been one step further toward our goal of providing a demonstration model to both the students and the community at large.
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Latest review
Prairie Hill-Jeanne Hevener, over 1 month
Dixon Power is great to work with! I would recommend them to anyone.<br />Renewable energy and it`s impact on the environment has always been important to Prairie Hill Learning Center since its inception. This has just been one step further toward our goal of providing a demonstration model to both the students and the community at large.
3.93 4 Reviews
Latest review
C Gotschall, over 1 month
I went with GRNE for our solar install last fall based on vetting done by Solarize Chicagoland. So glad I did! I couldn't recommend them more highly. Every person I've had contact with has been professional and extremely helpful every step of the way, very conscientious and patient with all my questions. The install went great and the panels have been up and running for months now, working like a dream. Thanks GRNE!
Read more
Latest review
C Gotschall, over 1 month
I went with GRNE for our solar install last fall based on vetting done by Solarize Chicagoland. So glad I did! I couldn't recommend them more highly. Every person I've had contact with has been professional and extremely helpful every step of the way, very conscientious and patient with all my questions. The install went great and the panels have been up and running for months now, working like a dream. Thanks GRNE!
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
So far...it's good
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