Summary of Nebraska solar incentives 2021
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:
-
Learn what solar incentives are available to Nebraska homeowners
-
See what Nebraska solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
-
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% at the end of 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:
Change
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 2021
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.
4.15 170 Reviews
Latest review
Keith M., 1 week ago
A large company that has a lot of experience and growing pains of fast expansion. The installers and electrician were excellent and performed a quality job. The communication from their office administration, schedulers and operations team was horrendous . Had to spend hours of my own time to contact the city inspectors and JEA (Utility company) to push project forward because quite simply Sun pro was not doing it. The value is just not there, realized too late. JEA sell rate of approximately .07 a KwH plus fees make it cost prohibitive for a solar system in North Florida. JEA only buys solar at .035 a KwH which means the system you will have to purchase will have to produce three times the power your house uses. When you you see the cost of that system you will come to the conclusion the value is not there.
Read more
Latest review
Keith M., 1 week ago
A large company that has a lot of experience and growing pains of fast expansion. The installers and electrician were excellent and performed a quality job. The communication from their office administration, schedulers and operations team was horrendous . Had to spend hours of my own time to contact the city inspectors and JEA (Utility company) to push project forward because quite simply Sun pro was not doing it. The value is just not there, realized too late. JEA sell rate of approximately .07 a KwH plus fees make it cost prohibitive for a solar system in North Florida. JEA only buys solar at .035 a KwH which means the system you will have to purchase will have to produce three times the power your house uses. When you you see the cost of that system you will come to the conclusion the value is not there.
4.09 33 Reviews
Latest review
Dennis G, 1 week ago
Research concluded Zenernet as a top rated and recommended. Technology matches up with most, if not all, companies. I appreciate their style of business; low key....not pushy (like most of their competition IS). I feel Zenernet offered the best bang for the buck and was able to meet my budget needs/desired financial plan.
Read more
Latest review
Dennis G, 1 week ago
Research concluded Zenernet as a top rated and recommended. Technology matches up with most, if not all, companies. I appreciate their style of business; low key....not pushy (like most of their competition IS). I feel Zenernet offered the best bang for the buck and was able to meet my budget needs/desired financial plan.
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.
Read more
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
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
June 22, 2021
Duke Energy’s new net metering program in SC to reduce solar savings, boost battery industry
While Duke Energy’s new net metering program will cut customers’ solar savings, it could potentially increase battery installations.
Ana Almerini
June 18, 2021
The 5 best solar shed lights to buy in 2021
You can easily transform your shed into a solar shed by adding solar panels to the roof or by installing solar-powered lights.
Zeeshan Hyder
June 15, 2021
Are solar canopies and carports worth it?
Solar canopies are custom-built outdoor structures designed to hold overhanging solar panels, enabling on-site solar power generation.
Zeeshan Hyder
June 10, 2021
What is Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)?
Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses special mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy; the collected heat is then used to generate power on the utility scale.