State solar profile · #41 of 51
Solar in Nebraska: cost, payback & incentives
What a typical home should expect from solar in Nebraska - sunshine, electricity rates, modeled payback, and the 1 incentive programs that change the math, built from NREL, EIA, and DSIRE data.
- 5
- kWh/m²/day irradiance
- 11.5¢
- avg electricity rate
- 16.4 yr
- payback (#39)
- 1
- incentive programs
The verdict
Nebraska scores 23/100 for solar - #41 of 51 - with a modeled 16.4-year payback and roughly $8,675 net over 25 years on a typical 6 kW system before any incentives.
- 23/100
- solar score (#41)
- 16.4 yr
- modeled payback (#39)
- $1,007
- modeled annual savings
- full
- net-metering policy
All figures are modeled from public NREL/EIA/DSIRE data for a typical 6 kW system; your result depends on roof, shading, utility tariff, and installer pricing.
Nebraska at a glance
5
irradiance (kWh/m²/day)
11.5¢
electricity rate (per kWh)
$16,500
6 kW system cost
16.4 yr
est. payback (#39)
8,760
kWh/year (6 kW)
$1,007
annual savings
25-year ROI for a 6 kW system
$16,500
system cost
$1,007/yr
modeled savings
16.4 yr
break-even
+$8,675
25-year net
Estimates from state averages; actual results vary by system size, roof orientation, shading, utility rate, and installer pricing. Run a personalized estimate →
Installed solar capacity in Nebraska, 2016–2024
Total solar nameplate capacity in Nebraska reported to the EIA, utility-scale and reported distributed systems.
Where Nebraska sits nationally
Every state by sunshine (left-to-right) and payback speed (faster toward the bottom). Nebraska is highlighted, its position shows whether sun or electricity rates drive its return.
Nebraska (highlighted): 5 kWh/m²/day, 16.4-yr modeled payback - slower than the national average.
What the data says about solar in Nebraska
Nebraska ranks #41 of 51 with a composite solar score of 23/100 (Marginal). The score blends inputs from NREL and EIA: average irradiance of 5 kWh/m²/day, residential electricity at 11.5¢/kWh, a turnkey 6 kW installed cost of $16,500 ($2.75/W), and 1 tracked state and utility incentive programs.
On those inputs, a 6 kW array here is modeled to generate roughly 8,760 kWh/year and offset about $1,007 in annual utility spending at the state's average rate, an estimated 16.4-year simple payback (#39 of 51 for speed to break-even) and a projected +$8,675 net position over a 25-year horizon before utility-rate escalation.
Policy matters as much as physics. Nebraska's net-metering framework is classified as full, which governs how exported generation is credited, and its renewable portfolio standard is: None. The 1 active program tracked in DSIRE includes net metering type, each can stack to compress payback. Note that the 30% federal residential solar tax credit (§25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so state and utility incentives now carry more of the economics, confirm current federal rules with the IRS and your tax advisor.
Solar & grid details
- Net-metering policy
- full
- Renewable portfolio standard
- None
- Installed cost / watt
- $2.75/W
- Annual production (6 kW)
- 8,760 kWh
- Installed capacity (EIA 2024)
- 138 MW
Top incentive programs
1 programs available for Nebraska residents
All Nebraska solar incentives (1)
Your next step
How to act on Nebraska's numbers.
- Run the savings calculator with your real electricity bill, the figures above use state averages, not your usage. Calculate for Nebraska
- Check net-metering and SREC value before signing, in a "full" state, export compensation often decides the return. Net-metering guide
- Stack Nebraska's 1 incentive programs, each lowers net cost or raises annual return. See all programs
Modeled estimates from public data, not financial advice; a binding figure requires a site-specific assessment from a licensed installer.
Solar resource from NREL; electricity rates and installed capacity from the U.S. EIA; incentive programs from DSIRE. See our methodology.