Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wichita, KS (2024 Update)
- Wichita Solar Installation Cost: $17,256
- 25-Year Savings: $28,767
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wichita
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Wichita.
In Wichita, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Wichita is around 7.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,256 for a solar installation, or $24,676 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Even with the significant initial cost, the average Wichita homeowner can save around $22,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Wichita that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Wichita
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,919 |
| 3 years | $-13,247 |
| 5 years | $-10,574 |
| 7 years | $-7,902 |
| 9 years | $-5,229 |
| 11 years | $-2,557 |
| 13 years | $116 |
| 15 years | $2,788 |
| 17 years | $5,461 |
| 19 years | $8,133 |
| 21 years | $10,806 |
| 23 years | $13,478 |
| 25 years | $16,151 |
Top Solar Installers in Wichita
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy usage, but working with a solar company can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Wichita, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Wichita
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wichita
The cost of installing a solar system in Wichita can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,340. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Wichita homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a role in determining your pricing. Wichita’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Wichita know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.47 | $14,589 | $19,674 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.41 | $19,078 | $26,607 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.34 | $23,380 | $33,726 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.27 | $27,495 | $41,032 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.21 | $31,423 | $48,525 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.14 | $35,164 | $56,206 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.07 | $38,717 | $64,073 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.01 | $42,084 | $72,128 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Wichita, KS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Wichita?
The average cost of solar panels in Wichita is about $16,700 for a 5-kW system and $33,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Wichita?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Wichita, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.