Best Solar Companies in Omaha, NE

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.

Solar panel costs in Omaha

A 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

How can I pay for solar panels?

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.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan: Once you pay it off, you own your system outright. You might be eligible for a low-interest solar loan through the Nebraska Dollar and Energy Savings Loan program.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.
• Power purchase agreements are when a third party installs and maintains solar panels on your property. You buy the power generated by the panels on a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis. It’s typically a fixed price, with a cheaper cents/kWh rate than traditional utilities have for the same amount of electricity.

How to find a reputable solar company in Omaha

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?

Residential solar panel incentives in Omaha

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.