Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in Kansas

A state so strongly associated with sunflowers should be in tune with the power of the sun. 

But putting solar panels on your Kansas roof might not be easy depending on where you live. Meanwhile, renewable wind power is the biggest source of electricity in the Sunflower State.

Kansas is lacking in net metering policies, which hurts your ability to capitalize on the excess energy produced by your solar panels. The state also lacks incentives for residential solar systems, but there are still plenty of reasons to consider solar panels on your home. That includes a major federal tax credit, which could cover up to 30% of the installation cost of your rooftop solar system.

Here's what you need to know if you're thinking about going solar in Kansas -- starting with the best solar installation companies operating within the state.

Best national solar companies in Kansas

The companies below come from CNET's list of best national solar companies.

Palmetto Solar

Best overall

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Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they're also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it's working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto's monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.

EnergyPal

Most flexible

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EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It'll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support.

Tesla Solar

Most affordable

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Tesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love.

If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.

Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble.

Local solar panel companies in Kansas

National companies can offer the stability of a long-term track record, but local companies may have less overhead. Here are a few of those operating in Kansas. These local companies haven't been reviewed by CNET.

How to decide which solar installer in Kansas is right for you

Kansas has 24 installers and developers, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association. How do you decide among them? The best way is to get bids from multiple companies and see which offers the best price and services.

Keep an eye out for potentially deceptive advertising and scams. Some companies in Kansas say they're connected with the state's utilities, but none of the utilities have preferred contractors, according to Dorothy Barnett, executive director of the Climate + Energy Project, a Kansas clean energy advocacy group. "That's a red flag," she said. She recommends buyers work with local Kansas companies and get at least two bids.

Cost of solar panels in Kansas

Here's a look at the average cash price for a typical solar panel system in Kansas before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com. Your system might cost more if you get a solar battery.

The following map provides data for the average total cash price, cost per watt and system size for a typical solar panel system in your state, according to FindEnergy.com. These prices don't account for rebates from tax credits or state incentives. Certain states don't have any FindEnergy solar data and are grayed out on the map.

Kansas solar panel incentives and rebates

If you're in an area served by a major utility, you're likely able to connect a solar system to the grid pretty easily. It can be more difficult if you're served by a municipal power company or rural electric cooperative, Barnett said. Those utilities aren't covered by the state's net metering law, which sets standards for how power companies connect small solar systems to the grid.

"If you live in a more rural part of the state, it's possible you won't be able to net meter a system currently," Barnett told CNET. "Or if you are allowed to net meter a system, you might be charged an additional grid access charge or a ridiculously high application fee to apply for an interconnection."

The biggest opportunity for Kansans to get help with solar panels is a federal program, the residential clean energy credit, which provides a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of a solar system. The credit, recently expanded and extended in the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, has no limit on how much you can claim. One potential hitch: You'll likely have to wait until after you file your taxes the next year to get the money.

Here's a look at the incentives available to you.

How solar-friendly is your state?

CNET recently ranked states based on their residential solar policies: the laws and regulations affecting consumer-level solar panel installation and adoption. These policies play a major role in determining how accessible and affordable a solar panel system is to the average resident. 

Each state was evaluated through a methodology and scored based on eight categories. The final score was converted to a letter grade. 

Here's how your state scored on CNET's solar policy test.

Kansas

Grade: F

Incentives available:

• State-governed net metering at fraction of retail rate
• Solar panel systems fully exempt from property taxes for 10 years

Strongest scoring categories:

Kansas homeowners who install solar panel systems have a full exemption from property taxes, but only for the first 10 years post-installation. There's also fractional net metering that'll let solar panel system owners exchange their excess electricity, though not for 1:1 credit at the retail rate.

Categories to improve:

Kansas offers no sales tax exemption on solar panel systems, no state solar tax credit, no low-income programs and no community solar programs.

How to pay for solar panels in Kansas

As with any major purchase, you need to think about where the money for the panels will come from. Despite the federal tax credit, you'll have to cover most of the price of the installation. And the money from the tax credit won't be yours until after you've filed your taxes for the year the panels are installed.

Here are some ways to pay for solar panels:

Cash: This is the simplest approach, but it works only if you happen to have tens of thousands of dollars sitting around in a bank account. If you don't have that yet, but you want solar panels in the future, consider saving money in a high-yield savings account. Interest rates are high right now, and this can help you save faster.

Solar loan: Your solar installer likely has a relationship with a bank or other financial institution to offer a loan designed for solar panels. This can be a great deal, but you'll want to get multiple offers to ensure the rates and terms are the best.

Home equity: You don't have to use a loan from your solar company. Financial institutions offer home equity loans and lines of credit (or HELOCs) that are commonly used for home improvement projects. These loans can be used for basically any purpose, and they may be a good fit for your solar project. Shop around and make sure you're getting the best deal.

Personal loan: You can also borrow the money through a personal loan. The main difference between a personal loan and a home equity loan is that a personal loan is typically unsecured. That means your house isn't at risk. The downside is they tend to have shorter terms and higher interest rates than home equity products.

Installation factors to keep in mind

Solar panels can put a big dent in your power bill and help you make a difference in moving away from fossil fuels, but they aren't right for everyone. Going solar when it doesn't make sense can turn that promise into a nightmare. Here are some things to consider before taking the plunge.

• Location, location, location: If you live in a wide-open area where your home feels the sun all day, solar panels might be great. If your rooftop is surrounded on all sides by big trees, the panels might not get enough light to be worth it. Also consider the angle of your home -- panels in the US tend to do best on south-facing slopes.
• Your roof: Solar panels are a long-term commitment for your roof. Make sure it's ready for it. If you're looking at replacing your shingles in the next few years, or if you have damage that'll need repair soon, that might take precedence over installing solar panels.
• HOA and neighborhood regulations: Check with your homeowners association and local government to see if there are any requirements you must meet before you can install panels.
• Insurance coverage: Your homeowners insurance will likely cover the solar panels, but you should call ahead of time to check and make sure.
• If you rent: You may not be able to get solar panels installed on your home if you don't own it. There are other options, including community solar, in which you pay for panels at a separate site and receive a share of the energy that facility produces. Community solar "has not taken off" yet in Kansas because of regulations, Barnett said, but there are a few options.

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