Nebraska Solar Incentives
The state of Nebraska is admittedly somewhat behind many other states in terms of encouraging the use of renewable energy sources like solar. Though they could be doing a lot more to encourage the use of solar energy, residents of the Cornhusker state looking to go solar will have a few things going their way, however.
Nebraska requires all utilities to offer some form of net metering, which is a major plus for anybody looking to install solar panels. Net metering is the method by which the output of your solar panels is measured, including how much electricity your panels feed back into āthe gridā. This is the way you will eventually be able to earn solar credits on future electric bills, providing you with free electricity not only while your panels are actively working but even at night when they arenāt producing. The net metering laws in Nebraska are worded vaguely so utilities have a little leeway on how they handle it, but ultimately any way you look at it, if youāre feeding power back into the grid and your utility is required to compensateĀ you for it, thatās a win for solar panels.Ā State Rebates- The utilities in the state of Nebraska do offer some small rebates to residents who choose to go solar. Some examples include:The Lincoln Electric System Sustainable Energy Fund: Offers a $500 rebate to consumers who switch from an electric heat pump or water heater system to a solar powered one.Ā Nebraska Public Power District Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate ProgramThere are various other programs and rebates in place in Nebraska as well, dependingĀ on your utility company. Check with your utility to inquire about any possible programs they may have for customers who choose to go solar.
Solar panels in Nebraska average about $2.69 - $2.89 / watt. Most solar panels are sold in 250 watt sizes, so the average cost of a solar panel in Nebraska is going to be around $700. Normal houses require around 20 to 28 panels to operate independent of the grid, so your total cost for your solar panels is going to come out to something like $14,000 to $19,600 for a normal home installation. And though that is a lot of money, donāt forget that a large amount of your cost will be lessened by the various incentives, rebates, etc that are available to solar customers.
What are the benefits of going solar in Nebraska?
Although every home is different, it is a good bet that your home will require something like 5000 to 7000 watts of solar panels to operate independent of the grid. Your solar installer will give you a much better picture of exactly how many solar panels you need to power your home by examining your past electric bills, as well as taking into account other factors like home size, number of residents, etc.
So despite what you may believe about solar panels, Nebraska is just as good a state for solar energy as many of the more popular āsunnyā states like Florida or California.Ā Despite the state of Nebraska not being as proactive as some others in their promotion of residents converting to solar panels, in the end solar is still a great option for anybody with the financial means and ability to install panels.