3 Best Solar Companies in Nebraska

The Main Types of Residential Solar Systems

With three types of solar panels in today's market, small-scale renewable energy has become simpler to adopt than ever before. Your contractor will likely have experience with all three types and can help you decide the best one for your home.

Monocrystalline

In the very hot summers of Nebraska, you'll get the best results from monocrystalline panels. Each black-hued cell uses only one silicon crystal, meaning you can generate additional energy with a small array. Since they have more parts, they come at a higher starting price point. However, they also have the greatest lifespan and better ROI possibilities than other types of solar panels.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline solar panels have dark blue cells made of multiple silicon fragments. Aside from their lower average price, they have a less wasteful manufacturing process.

Although you can design a fairly efficient system with polycrystalline panels, it'll have a greater physical footprint when compared to a monocrystalline array at the same capacity.

Thin-film

Thin-film panels are a great choice for value in more "partly sunny" areas of Nebraska. They maintain efficiency as temperatures fluctuate and work with many different roof shapes. Thin-film solar panels use different metal alloys instead of silicon crystals. Some homeowners pick them for their light weight or ability to fit on non-rectangular roofs. Others select them for their superior heat resistance and low-light performance.

Despite that thin-film systems have the lowest cost per panel, they usually have a total cost on equal footing with polycrystalline systems due to their large space requirements.

Solar Purchase Options

Nebraska's available solar financing tools have granted more homeowners access to clean energy than in the past. Your installer may go over the following options with you:

• Solar leases: With a solar lease, you'll make a monthly payment based on the energy the panels are predicted to generate. Your lease provider can include benefits such as no money down, covered regular maintenance, and a guarantee which allows refunds if your panels aren't reach their predicted target efficiency. While leases may have an attractive price tag, a lessee can't make use of rebates, tax incentives, or other state programs since the installer retains ownership of the panels.
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs): Under a power purchase agreement, your utility company will pay for your system upfront, then sell the power from your panels back to you. The cost per kilowatt you pay will frequently be less than what you'd pay your utility company. Before you sign a PPA, read the terms thoroughly and ask about what happens at the end of the contract. If you don't extend the agreement, transfer your system to a willing buyer, or buy the system from the contractor, they reserve the right to remove the panels.
• Financing: Solar loans function like any other financing. You'll have ownership of the system once you pay off the loan, and since you're buying the panels, you can take advantage of tax breaks and other incentives during the payback period. However, the specific terms of a solar loan will often be contingent on on your credit score.

In addition to the purchase price of the panels, you'll also be liable for your installation company's labor costs and the price of electrical, roofing, or plumbing work they subcontracted to other companies. Whether you choose a lease, loan, or PPA, they'll generally cover all of these costs.

Residential Solar Incentives and Cost Support

Going solar is a sizable investment, and utility companies and state governments often offer financial incentives to help cover costs and welcome you into the clean, decentralized energy world. Some of the most common types of programs include:

• Rebates: Rebates are direct incentives offered by utilities or manufacturers. The application process for a rebate will vary from program to program, but generally, your company will have to submit plans or receipts and prove that they're licensed to work on your project. Sometimes, the contractor will receive the payment and give you a discount on their work. With other programs, you'll receive the money as a direct payment or a credit on your power bill.
• Tax credits: Depending on where you live, your state, county, or city may offer income tax credits or even property tax exemptions on new solar panels. The federal government further has a 30% tax credit on "residential clean energy" equipment, which you can apply for by filing Form 5695 for the installation year.
• Net metering: While many states mandate net metering, others allow utility companies to voluntarily participate to boost their renewable capacity and add an additional layer of energy security. Once you enroll in net metering, you'll send your excess solar power to the local grid. In exchange, your utility will credit you at the retail, wholesale, or avoided-cost rate.
• Net billing: There's a national trend toward more utilities retiring net metering in favor of net billing schemes. Fundamentally speaking, both systems function the same way. However, with net billing, you sell the electricity to your utility company instead of earning credits for your excess solar generation. Compensation will usually be at a wholesale or avoided-cost rate, which is below the retail rate.

Solar Energy By the Numbers in Nebraska

Here's a brief look at the state of solar energy in Nebraska.

• A 5 kW solar installation in Nebraska has an average payback period of 13.0 years. That said, you would also save $869.10 on your energy bill.
• Solar energy has enabled the creation of 1,332 jobs in Nebraska, with more added as companies grow and technology continues to improve.
• Nebraska generates 14 MW of residential solar energy, serving 1,934 homes and counting.
• Without solar, the average family spends about $1,295 every year on their energy bill.
• In Nebraska, the average new home solar array is rated for up to 9.7 kW and costs $27,551.

Useful Resources

Want more information on Nebraska's solar opportunities, incentives, and regulations? Visit these online pages and reference guides:

• PVWatts: Created by the U.S. Department of Energy, this tool lets you enter your zip code and get predictions of how much energy a solar panel system could generate at your specific location.
• Best solar companies by city: If you're looking for tailored solar company recommendations in your area, Today's Homeowner has just what you need. We can recommend you the best companies in cities like OMAHA,NE, LINCOLN,NE, BELLEVUE,NE, GRAND ISLAND,NE and KEARNEY,NE.
• DSIRE: You can use DSIRE to track solar incentive programs in your area, including public policies in your state, solar thermal rebates, solar photovoltaic incentives, and net metering or billing programs.