Wichita, KS Solar Panels: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Wichita
If you live in Wichita and have noticed your electricity bill climbing, you’re not imagining it. Kansas electricity prices have increased 11% from 2020 to 2024, and many homeowners are looking for ways to take control of their energy costs.
With the abundant sunshine across the Kansas plains, solar is a practical option here. This guide walks you through what solar installation in Wichita involves. To start with the basics, explore our guide on home solar panels.
KANSAS by the Numbers
41st Most residential solar in the United States
7 Households have installed solar panels
5.4 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$56k Wichita average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Wichita, KS?
Curious what solar really costs in Wichita? This calculator uses actual installation data from homes across the area—including Derby, Andover, Haysville, Maize, and Park City. See real, local numbers based on our firsthand experience, so you can explore your options with clear, honest information.
LeaseCash Purchase
| Small Home | Up to 2,000 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Medium Home | 2,000-3,000 sq ft |
| Large Home | Over 3,000 sq ft |
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Kansas.
Recommended System
System: 7.79 kW
Your Monthly Payment: Estimated monthly cost with LightReach $91/mo
As low as: $91/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment:
System Cost: $23,524
Price per Watt: $3.02
Final Cost: $23,524
Your total financial benefit:
Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction: $127
Payback Period: Break-even point: 12.7 years
25-Year Savings: $55,541
Palmetto Reviews
Palmetto Solar has been nothing but solid for me. Their app is clean, easy to use, and honestly kind of addictive — I catch myself checking my energy production like it’s a scoreboard. And the savings on my electric bill are the real deal. Every month I’m seeing the difference. Their customer service deserves a shoutout too. Every time I reached out, they were friendly, patient, and actually helpful. No runaround, no “we’ll get back to you someday” energy — just people who know their stuff and take care of you. If you’re thinking about going solar, Palmetto makes the whole thing smooth, simple, and worth it.
Jesse Richardson
Kansas, Kansas
I resisted going solar for years because of the cost of installation that many quoted when they came to my door. Someone finally came to my door from Palmetto and offered a solar plan that didn’t cost me a penny to install the solar at all. They looked at my power bill and told me how many panels they would install and that they would only bill be $83 dollars a month. My wife and I did that math, and we said okay. After everything was installed and up and running, they sent me an email that said my monthly bill would only be $63 a month instead of the $83. I said, “Great”. Through the entire process they notified me of everything that was happening from them getting permits from the city, to installers coming out, etc. So far I’m very pleased with their service and the money I’m saving.
Steve Shaw
Kansas, Kansas
Palmetto Solar is a fantastic solar company to work with. They provide great communication every step of the way. Customer service is excellent! Keeping their customers fully informed of just how simple the solar install and payment set up is; plus keeping my expectations of the process very simple. They are available to speak to, which makes it easy to understand how things work once all is completed. I highly recommend Palmetto Solar.
Maria Margaritis
Kansas, Kansas
Key Takeaways
Wichita gets 5.4 peak sun hours a day, making solar a practical way to power your home and take control of rising electricity costs.
Kansas electricity prices rose about 9% from 2021 to 2024, so generating your own solar power can bring more predictable energy bills for decades.
Leasing with LightReach means no upfront cost, since Palmetto owns and maintains the system while passing savings to you through lower monthly payments.
Wichita Electricity Prices
If your Wichita electricity bill keeps climbing, you’re not imagining it. Kansas energy costs have steadily risen in recent years.
Kansas electricity prices increased roughly 9% from 2021 to 2024, rising from 13.0 to 14.2 cents per kWh. For many Wichita households, that steady climb adds up year after year.
Solar offers a way to take more control of these costs. By generating your own power from the abundant Kansas sunshine, you can reduce how much electricity you buy from your utility, like Evergy.
Over the long term, solar installation in Wichita can bring more predictable energy costs. While utility rates may keep rising, the sunlight powering your home stays free and reliable for decades.
Price of Energy: Kansas vs National Average
| Year | Kansas | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13.0¢ | 16.0¢ |
| 2022 | 13.4¢ | 16.5¢ |
| 2023 | 14.0¢ | - |
| 2024 | 14.2¢ | - |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Form 861
Wichita Area Utility Providers
In Wichita, KS, Evergy is the main electricity provider. In 2023, Evergy’s rates ran about 13.0–13.1¢ per kWh, close to the Kansas state average of 13.40¢ and below the national average of 16.0¢.
Why are these 2023 rates below the national average? Kansas benefits from lower-cost energy sources, including wind power. This helps keep Evergy’s prices near the state average and under what many homeowners pay across the country.
Still, electricity costs can shift over time. Solar panel installation in Wichita lets you generate your own power and gain more control over your monthly bills, no matter which way utility rates move.
Wichita Utilities Electricity Rates
| Provider | Rate (¢/kWh) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Evergy | 13.10¢ | -18% |
| Evergy | 13.00¢ | -19% |
| KS Average | 13.40¢ | -16% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | - |
Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861, Table 6
Kansas Solar Incentives
Various programs may help Wichita homeowners offset the cost of going solar. Learn more about solar incentives in Kansas in the table below.
Kansas currently has limited state-specific solar incentives, but local utility programs, net metering options, and property tax considerations can still play a role. Availability varies, so it’s worth checking what applies to your Wichita home.
While the federal residential tax credit has ended, state and local options remain. LightReach leasing simplifies this, as Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and reflects savings in lower monthly payments.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Kansas incentives.
Wichita Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Wichita enjoys abundant sunshine year-round, though summer heat, winter storms, and seasonal daylight shifts affect output. Despite occasional cloudy days, Kansas’ sunny climate makes solar a reliable, productive choice for local homes.
Solar Production in Wichita by Month
| System Size | 5 kW | 7 kW | 10 kW |
|---|
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts data; Wichita, KS
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
50.7 kWh/day
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.4 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 16 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.1 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
27.8 kWh/day
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 1.9 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 13 hours
- or Fully charge 2.8 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
15,280 kWh/year
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 11 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 183 trees
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Solar Panel Systems in Wichita
We’ve mapped solar installations across the United States, right down to the neighborhood level. Explore this interactive heatmap to see how many homes in Wichita communities have made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to discover how your neighbors are embracing clean energy across the city.
Leasing Solar Panels
If a large upfront payment feels out of reach, leasing offers a simpler path to solar in Wichita. Through Palmetto’s LightReach program, homeowners served by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro can go solar with a lease—no big check required to get started.
With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount based on your system’s estimated yearly production. Unlike paying in cash, there’s no upfront cost, and Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so repairs and upkeep aren’t your responsibility.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Wichita, KS have net metering? Yes. Wichita homeowners served by Evergy (Kansas Central and Metro) have access to net metering. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, that extra power flows back to the grid.
- Do solar panels increase your home value in Wichita, KS? Yes. In Wichita, solar panels can increase your home value when you own the system outright, either through a cash purchase or a solar loan. A Zillow study found that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them.
- How much does it cost to go solar in Wichita, KS? Many Wichita homeowners go solar with no upfront cost through Palmetto’s LightReach lease, paying a low fixed monthly payment starting around $91/month for a medium home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, passing savings to you.
- How does leasing solar work and what’s the approximate cost in Wichita, KS? With Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease, one simple monthly payment covers everything: the panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a protection program with a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost.
- Do solar panels require maintenance in Wichita, KS? Solar panels are low maintenance. In Wichita’s climate, they typically need only occasional cleaning to clear dust or debris, since rain often handles that naturally.
- Does solar make sense in Wichita, KS? Yes, solar makes sense for many Wichita homes. Kansas averages 5.4 peak sun hours per day, and with electricity prices rising about 9% from 2021 to 2024, generating your own power can bring more predictable bills for decades.
- How much electricity can a solar system produce in Wichita, KS? In Wichita, a typical home solar system produces roughly 7,600 to 15,300 kWh per year. For example, a 5 kW system generates about 7,641 kWh annually, a 7 kW system around 10,697 kWh, and a 10 kW system near 15,280 kWh, based on the area’s 5.4 average peak sun hours per day.