Solar Panels Cost $9.9k-$19k in Riley County, KS | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Riley County, KS in 2024?
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To go solar is approximately $3.55/W in Riley County, KS in November, 2024.
Applying the cost per watt, you are able to come to the conclusion that for every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar panel system can generate, you will need to invest $3,550 to have it installed. In Riley County, a 5 kW solar panel install will set you back, on average, $12,425 after the 30% federal income tax credit. Please consider, a 5kW system might not be sufficient to ensure your energy needs are met.
To your left, you have the option to select your county and view the typical roof size along with the average maximum capacity for solar panel installations on homes in your area. Below, you can see a summary of the price, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Riley County: $12,425US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Riley County: 7 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Riley County: $20,324US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Riley County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Riley County.
Roof size 787sq. ft.
Capacity 11kW DC
Electricity 14.2kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Riley County, KS & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The average electricity usage in Riley County is 997 kWh per month, resulting in a 158.64 monthly electric bill average. This figure also encompasses the energy needs of apartments and smaller homes.
The electricity rate per kWh in Riley County, KS for November 2024 is on average 15.91¢.
Upfront, an 8 kW solar panel installation will cost around $28,400, after a 30% federal tax credit, the total comes down to $19,880.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Riley County
On the left side below, the cost breakdown for multiple sizes of solar panel systems set up in Riley County is displayed. As expected, with a larger solar system, you will have a higher upfront cost, but the advantages are greater energy savings and greater income tax credits.
Refer to the solar panel cost calculator to the right and below to see the cost and benefit details derived from an average $158.64 electric bill in Riley County. Simply replace the $158.64 with your usual electricity bill amount to see more specific results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $987 a year
Est. Price
$9,940
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 6,171 kWh
Est. monthly savings $82
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.27 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 104 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,620 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,234 a year
Est. Price
$12,425
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,713 kWh
Est. monthly savings $103
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.84 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 130 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,025 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,481 a year
Est. Price
$14,910
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 9,256 kWh
Est. monthly savings $123
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.41 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 156 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,429 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,728 a year
Est. Price
$17,395
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,799 kWh
Est. monthly savings $144
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.97 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 182 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,834 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,975 a year
Est. Price
$19,880
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 12,341 kWh
Est. monthly savings $159
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.39 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 202 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,860 mi less a year
Riley County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
For rural small businesses and agricultural properties, the REAP Grant could provide funding that covers between 80% and 100% of the necessary expenses for installing renewable energy systems. If you think you might qualify, we suggest trying our REAP Grant eligibility tool to check.
For those looking into residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to most people, which makes solar a feasible option in many states. State and local governments have various programs to promote the switch to solar energy.
Kansas has 3 solar rebate and incentive initiatives offered by various utilities and government agencies.
Solar incentives in KSIncentive Description Value
Net Metering
Value:Varies
An act of the Kansas legislature required the state's three investor-owned utilities to enter net metering or parallel generation arrangements with interconnected renewable energy customers. Some cooperatives also offer net metering. Under net metering, utilities compensate customers for net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. A bidirectional meter will be installed at no cost to the customer to track NEG. Credits will automatically be applied toward the customer's monthly bill and roll forward should generation exceed consumption for a given month. Parallel generation operates similarly to net metering, but enrollees may yield higher compensation and direct payments instead of bill credits. Contracts may be shorter-term as utilities are not required to purchase energy above a certain threshold. Certain capacity limits apply depending on the customer's property type. Interested customers should contact their utility.
Renewable Energy Goal
Value:Varies
Kansas first established a renewable portfolio standard in 2009. RPS goals are revisited from time to time, but they exist as fixed percentages rather than timed targets. As of 2020, private utilities and electric co-ops in the state should source at least 20% of their energy from renewable means. Adherence to the standard is measured through a Renewable Energy Credit system. RECs tie a fixed amount of capacity to a dollar value, with each credit expiring two years from its creation. Customers own the credits they generate but are technically required to sell them to utilities through net metering or parallel generation arrangements. Unlike many other states, compliance with the Kansas RPS is voluntary. Utilities are encouraged but not obliged to follow the state's quotas and guidelines.
Wichita City - Solar Permitting
Value:Varies
Any new solar energy project in Wichita must have the appropriate permits from the office of the city's Building Official. Permit applications should include plans, specifications, and electrical diagrams. A $40 fee is due at the time of application which covers up to two site inspections. Should additional inspections be required, a $15 fee per inspection will be added. It is illegal under Wichita ordinances to install, fix, replace, or make changes to a solar energy system without a solar contractor or installer's license. Additional information is available from the Wichita Energy Advisory Board, which serves as the appellate body for solar permits.
Are solar panels worth it in Riley County, KS?
For those expecting to remain in their homes after the solar system's payback period, installing solar panels is a smart choice in Riley County. By installing a 5 kW solar system in Riley County, KS, you can expect to save approximately $25,648.6 over 20 years, with the break even point typically being 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Riley County, KS
Failing to have solar panels or an alternative backup energy means missing the savings mentioned earlier and being entirely reliant on your electric utility for electricity. Recent media coverage has demonstrated that complete reliance on your utility is not always ideal.
In recent times, the average number of utility outages per customer annually in Riley County has been about 1.02. On average, an outage lasts 96.09 minutes. When major events such as tornadoes, construction accidents, or aging infrastructure occur, these durations can increase significantly
Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Riley County.
A solar energy system could help mitigate the effects of future outages, with or without a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Riley County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Riley County, KS?
Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems have a higher upfront cost, but the cost per watt diminishes. Setting up a solar system that makes sufficient electricity to offset their electric bill is useful to most individuals, resulting in savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels and mounting equipment are offered in a variety of makes and models. Considering the brand preferences that your installer may have, it's crucial to choose a highly rated contractor. To ensure a more favorable long-term experience, buyers should consider higher quality materials.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the standard in the industry, and it's not hard to see why. These panels have a higher cost but offer a higher energy efficiency. Many installers in the industry use panels constructed of this material.
Your Property - No two properties or homes are the same. Trees, sloped land, or additional considerations can make the installation process more challenging. These days, satellite images allow the majority of solar installers to assess your home and factor in these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The wages that companies pay their employees are different, and these costs are inevitably shown in consumer prices. Businesses paying more to their employees often get higher reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your installation cost will be influenced by area-specific permitting and utility interconnection fees. Quality installers will factor these costs into your preliminary quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Riley County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Riley County, KS Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average per-watt cost for solar panels in Riley County, KS is $3.55/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Riley County, KS will roughly cost $12,425.
If you live in Kansas, you can find 3 rebates and incentives through different utilities and government agencies. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Even though paying cash yields the best savings, there are now numerous financing options for solar panels that are also advantageous. Financing options are frequently available through installers and will be included in your initial quotes.
Yes, in Riley County, KS, the average payback period for 5 kW solar panels is 7 years, resulting in average electricity savings of $25,648.6 over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
