The ConsumerAffairs Research Team compared popular solar companies in Omaha on ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranty terms and other factors. Our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us, but this does not affect our evaluations. Read our full methodology for all the details on how we make solar company recommendations.
| Company | Customer rating | Our pick for | Pro install | Max. panel efficiency | Panel warranty | NABCEP certified | Payment options | Year founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.3
118 reviews
118 reviews
| Pro install |  | 21.9% | 30 years | | Cash, loan | 2013 | Learn More |
 | 4.8
191 reviews
191 reviews
| DIY projects |  | Varies | Varies | | Cash, loan | 2018 | Learn more |
Jump into our guides and start learning
ConsumerAffairs has heard from thousands of people who have already gone solar. A couple of things we know for sure: People like powering their homes with a reliable source of cheap, clean energy. They don’t like getting into solar contracts that don’t meet their expectations. Here’s what Omahans should look for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on average costs and ways to save with government incentives.
A typical residential solar panel installation costs $20,230 in Omaha.
Jump to insightSolar loans, leases and other programs make it easy to go solar with minimal upfront costs.
Jump to insightSolar scammers in Omaha may falsely claim to be affiliated with a Douglas County or Nebraska government agency.
Jump to insightA typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $7,840 to $22,400 in Nebraska. Prices in Omaha are comparable, ranging from $7,630 to $21,800.
This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Omaha’s net metering program. System size is the other major solar cost factor.
Average solar panel installation costs by system size in Omaha
| 5 kW | 6 kW | 7 kW | 8 kW | 9 kW | 10 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before federal tax credit | $10,900 | $13,080 | $15,260 | $17,440 | $19,620 | $21,800 |
| After federal tax credit | $7,630 | $9,156 | $10,682 | $12,208 | $13,734 | $15,260 |
Getting solar panels is like buying a car. A lot of people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.
In our experience, the best solar companies in Nebraska have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts.
Get multiple solar quotes from different companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal. To avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures and billing issues, we recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Potential roof problems
As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels again. This is an expensive and frustrating process.
» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?
Nebraska’s solar incentives are minimal, so you should focus on federal tax credits to offset your out-of-pocket costs. The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the best incentive for most Omaha homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels.
The ITC drops to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034.
For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $5,000 in taxes, the $3,000 credit reduces what you owe to $2,000. Any unused portion rolls over to the next tax year. However, it’s possible to get a refund check if the ITC credit reduces your taxes to the point where you overpaid during the year.
Solar panels are generally worth it in Nebraska if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Omaha homeowners with solar panels can avoid $53,725 in total utility costs over 25 years.
The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 11.6 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).
Considering Nebraska averages 4.5 to 5 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is also worth considering for the environmental benefits. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.
The average Omaha household needs a system with a capacity of 9.28 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.
Net metering is a system of give-and-take between you and your utility company. You also earn credits for sending any excess solar energy to the grid. Net metering also lets you access power from the grid when your panels don’t generate enough electricity.
Omaha is served by Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), and they have a pretty straightforward net metering process.
For OPPD customers, your solar generation is subtracted from your electricity usage each month. If you produce more than you use in a month, you get credit at the full retail rate (what you pay for electricity). If you live outside of Omaha, you might fall under the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) service territory, which has slightly different net metering rules.
Possibly. The Nebraska Judiciary Committee reviewed a bill (LB1119) that would prevent HOAs from restricting solar panel installations, asserting homeowners’ rights to improve their properties. Supporters argue the measure protects property rights and benefits the environment, while opponents raised concerns about potential impacts on property insurance costs; no immediate action was taken.
» GREENEST STATES: Nebraska ranked 27th in 2024
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline are the most common types of solar panels used in residential installations. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The key difference is in materials and efficiency: Monocrystalline panels use pure, single silicon crystals, while polycrystalline panels are made from melted silicon fragments, resulting in different efficiency levels.
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how well a panel makes electricity. Standard efficiency rates range from 19% to 23%, which means 19% to 23% of the sunlight that hits the panels gets converted into electricity. The more efficient your solar panels are, the fewer panels you need. While more efficient panels cost a little more, you save by buying fewer panels.
We’re not aware of a totally free solar option in Omaha. You lease or enter a power purchase agreement with minimal upfront costs, but there is usually an ongoing monthly fee. In general, beware of deals that sound too good to be true.
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Omaha, Nebraska. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:
Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Omaha customers were given preference.
Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.
Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.
Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.
ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:
Thanks for subscribing.
You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
| Company | Customer rating | About | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8
191 reviews
| Solar energy solutions. Offers solar energy kits, DIY solar kits and lithium batteries. Small- and large-scale equipment. Online purchasing with shipping to 48 states. Partner installer network. Financing and warranty available. | Read reviews |
 | 1.0
View profile
| Offers residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural solar installation in seven states. Purchase Tesla products with cash, tax equity financing, lease or power purchase agreement. | Read reviews |
 | No reviews | Solar installation for residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial consumers across the Midwest. Generator installations also available. Certified Tesla installer. Financial quotes available upon request. | |
 | No reviews | Installs solar energy systems for businesses. Service areas are focused on Colorado’s Front Range Area. Also provides services in parts of Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska through special arrangements. | |
 | No reviews | Everlight Solar specializes in residential solar panel installations, solar storage and ongoing maintenance. The company is headquartered in Wisconsin and services parts of the West and Midwest. | |
 | No reviews | Solar installations on homes, businesses, farms and government buildings. Service across eight states. Finance systems with components from Enphase and Hanwha. Offers manufacturer’s warranty on panels and inverters. | |
 | No reviews | Residential and commercial roofing, solar energy system installation and power backup for parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Offers a lifetime guarantee on installations. Free roof inspections available. | |
 | No reviews | Residential solar installation, commercial solar installation, solar water heating and installation, and solar pool heating and installation. Founded in 1986. 10-year warranty on panels. Offers loans and net metering. | |
 | No reviews | Residential solar panel design, installation, maintenance and energy monitoring. Its service area extends across 19 states, including California, Florida and Texas. Leases and power purchase agreements available. | |
 | No reviews | Omaha-based solar installer serving parts of Iowa and Nebraska. Provides residential, commercial, agricultural and municipal solar energy system installation services. Also offers solar repair services. | |
 | No reviews | Commercial solar installation services. Covers businesses in the lower 48 states. Payment options include solar loans and power purchase agreements. Relies on manufacturer warranties. | |
 | No reviews | Specializes in agricultural, commercial and residential solar installations. Hybrid systems available for residential installations. Offers products from AllEarth Renewables. Also performs wind turbine installations. | |
 | No reviews | Roofing company offering certified Tesla Solar Roof installations. Performs installations in parts of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, as well as portions of Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wyoming on a case-by-case basis. | |
| 4.3
118 reviews
| Designs, builds and installs solar panels in 11 states. Financing options available with no upfront costs. All services provided by in-house experts. 24/7 usage monitoring available with its mobile app. | Learn More |
 | 5.0
View profile
| LGCY Power specializes in residential and commercial solar panel installation plus ongoing maintenance. Service areas extend across parts of the West, Northeast, South and Midwest. | Read reviews |
