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3 Best Solar Companies in Nebraska (2024 Guide)

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude Updated 12/09/2024

Although wind power is the more popular clean energy choice in Nebraska, solar energy also offers benefits in the Cornhusker State. Nebraska receives around 223 sunny days yearly, exceeding the national average of 205 days and providing an ideal environment for solar panel systems. By adding energy storage, your system could generate backup power, keeping your home running during power outages.

To help you prepare for going solar, our team spent 50 hours researching the leading solar installers in the nation and throughout the Midwest. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best solar companies in Nebraska, plus offered advice on what to look for in the right solar installer.

Compare Solar Energy Companies in NE

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.2
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease GET QUOTE
4.4
25–30 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.5
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
No results were found.

Nebraska’s Top Solar Energy Companies

Most Reputable: Blue Raven Solar
Best Northeast Regional Installer: Venture Solar
Best East Coast Installer: Solar Energy World
Best Solar Panel Leasing: Sunrun

Our Top Picks for Solar Companies in Nebraska

Blue Raven Solar

4.4

Blue Raven Solar has one of the best reputations for reliability and trustworthiness. It has won awards for its team and CEO, and customer reviews report great customer service and prompt installations. The company also stands out for its in-house financing, which includes 18 months of free solar energy.

Out of all solar brands in the market, 6.5% of our survey respondents chose Blue Raven.

How We Scored Blue Raven Solar

Blue Raven received 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our rating system. The company scored the most points for its customer service reputation and warranty coverage. It also earned points for providing all standard solar panel services but lost some due to its limited financing options and lack of roof leak coverage.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): Blue Raven offers solar panel and battery installation, active monitoring services, and energy audits. However, it doesn’t offer solar roofs, EV chargers, or additional roofing services. 
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): The company offers top-of-the-line warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty. The company earned points fo providing a performance guarantee, but its guarantee is shorter than many other providers. However, it doesn’t provide any roof leak coverage. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Blue Raven has high customer review ratings on its BBB profile and other popular review sites. The company uses in-house installers but doesn’t ensure they’re NABCEP-certified, which made it lose some points in this category.
  • Financing Options (12 out of 15 points): Blue Raven offers some of the best in-house financing of the companies this list, but it limits this financing to solar loans. You may want to consider a different provider, such as Sunrun, if you’re looking for a lease or PPA.
  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.
  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): The company limits its service area to 19 states.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

State Availability

Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington

Reputation and Reviews

Blue Raven has won numerous awards from Comparably, a site known for its company culture and reputation reviews. It also ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.

Blue Raven is accredited by the BBB and currently holds an A+ rating. We noted that customers praised the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation but cited poor communication after completing projects. We analyzed several consumer reviews and found that some of these issues stem from the company’s financing department and third-party installers.

Read our review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.

Venture Solar

4.2

Venture Solar specializes in installing systems that are perfectly symmetrical and have no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design provides a simple, stylish look tailored to your roof’s appearance. Additionally, Venture offers comprehensive financing options similar to Sunrun, making solar energy more accessible to homeowners.

How We Scored Venture Solar

Venture earned 4.2 out of 5 stars. It gained most of its points due to its flexible financing options paired with an in-house financing department. It also provides plenty of solar services to match most customers’ wants and needs, though it lost points for lacking roofing services, energy audits, and EV charger installations. 

  • Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points): Venture offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring. The company lost points in this category because it doesn’t provide EV chargers, solar roof installation services, energy audits, and roof repairs.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (25 out of 25 points): The company features excellent warranty perks with 25 years on labor, products, and performance. It also includes roof leak protection. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Venture has a great reputation. It features high ratings on its BBB profile with an accreditation and no active issues like lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (14 out of 15 points): Venture provides financing options through an in-house financing team and works with every payment method except PPAs. 
  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): The company holds only eight years of experience in the solar industry.
  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): Venture has a limited service area of only three states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides transparent information about its financing options online Includes remote monitoring Includes a 25-year roof and system warranty with all panel systems Cons Requires your phone number to submit an online quote Reviews mention mixed experiences with customer support Doesn’t work with power purchase agreement

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Venture offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers workmanship, products, and power output. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease

State Availability

Available in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Reputation and Reviews

Venture has an A+ rating and accreditation on its BBB profile. According to customer reviews, the company provides high-quality workmanship on its solar panel systems and good customer support. However, some customers have raised concerns about the pricing and quoting process. They found it confusing to determine the total cost of their system and experienced frequent back-and-forth over pricing.

Some customers also noted that Venture focuses on premium products, leading to higher pricing even when unnecessary. We found several Reddit threads discussing Venture where other solar customers and installers mentioned similar experiences.

Solar Energy World

4.4

Solar Energy World (SEW) is one of the most robust and well-regarded solar installation companies. It boasts several impressive features, such as its 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its service area is limited, and it doesn’t offer energy auditing services. We like that SEW discloses what solar panels it primarily works with and that the panels are from trusted, quality brands such as Qcells and Silfab.

Roughly 11% of our surveyed solar users purchased their system from Solar Energy World.

How We Scored Solar Energy World

SEW scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company received many points because of its warranty, which is longer than most other solar companies’ warranties. SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its solar panels and inverters, whereas many providers only offer 25-year warranties.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): The company is an ideal option for many basic solar products and services, such as solar panels and battery installation. It lost points because it doesn’t install EV chargers or perform energy audits.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): SEW’s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn’t include any production guarantees with its work. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15 out of 15 points): The company’s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn’t provide an in-house financing department. 
  • Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points): The company has been in business since 2009, so it received most of the points in this category.
  • State Availability (6 out of 10 points): SEW limits its service area to eight East Coast states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Features an extensive solar product catalog with trusted brands Includes free active monitoring Hires NABCEP-certified installers and designers Cons Reviews mention communication issues with staff Warranty coverage varies by solar panel brand Doesn’t offer a power production guarantee

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all purchased solar panels and inverters. However, coverage varies by brand, and the company doesn’t guarantee them with every panel option. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

State Availability

Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia

Reputation and Reviews

The company landed on Solar Power World’s 2023 Top Solar Contractors List in the No. 10 spot.

The BBB accredits SEW, and the company holds an A+ rating. Former customers praise the company for its professionalism, assistance with applying for financial incentives, and smooth installation process. However, some reported discrepancies in finances and scheduling.

Sunrun

4.5

We like Sunrun for its four financing options, including its unique leasing options if you don’t want to own your system. This stands out to us because the other companies on this list don’t offer as many options.

Prepaid and leased systems also include a 25-year warranty with system service and maintenance, ongoing monitoring, and theft insurance. The company even offers financing plans for quality monocrystalline solar panels and products from trusted brands such as LG.

How We Scored Sunrun

Sunrun earned 4.4 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. The company gained many points for its positive reputation, comprehensive leasing options, and well-rounded warranty coverage. It lost some points for is limited service selection.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (15 out of 25 points): Sunrun provides solar panel and battery installation but uses third-party installers. Though this is becoming an industry standard, in-house installers typically yield better communication and quality. The company also doesn’t provide roofing services or energy audits but does offer quality active monitoring assistance. 
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): Sunrun offers quality warranties, such as its 25-year manufacturer and labor warranty, but doesn’t include a performance guarantee. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Sunrun has one of the higher customer BBB ratings we’ve encountered, and the company maintains an overall positive customer reputation online.
  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): The company doesn’t offer any in-house financing but provides more warranty coverage for customers interested in solar leasing than other providers, such as Palmetto.
  • Industry Experience (9 out of 10 points): Sunrun holds 17 years of experience in the solar industry, making it a veteran compared to a newer company such as Blue Raven Solar.
  • State Availability (8 out of 10 points): The company only serves 18 states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides system monitoring that signals issues with your system Offers diverse financing options to suit various budgets Provides EV and solar battery solutions Cons Limited online information on solar incentive disqualification with leases Requires added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers Varies solar battery availability by state

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
PPA

State Availability

Available in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Reputation and Reviews

The company earned DroneDeploy’s 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In 2021 and 2022, Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity 2022, Best Company Culture 2021, and Best Company for Women two years in a row.

Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited. Former customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations, poor customer service, and poor communication with project managers. Additionally, some customers note being confused by Sunrun’s leasing and PPA options, though they also mention Sunrun is willing to discuss and clarify these plans.

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Nebraska?

Despite only a few solar incentives in Nebraska such as credits and rebates, homeowners still have ways to lower their solar panel costs.

The federal solar tax credit provides up to 30% off installation costs. This credit applies to federal tax liability and helps reduce your owed amount. The federal tax credit applies to solar energy systems with traditional panels or solar shingles or tiles. You can also apply the credit to a stand-alone solar battery. To qualify, you must legally own your solar power system.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) offers low-interest loans to residents to help keep their costs to a minimum. Nebraska Dollar and Energy Savings Loans offer interest rates of 5%, 3.5%, or lower from lenders throughout the state. Loans can last up to 10 years with a minimum payment of $50 per month. Homeowners must work with participating lenders to qualify for these rates. Visit the NDEE website to start your search for a lender. 

Under the Nebraska Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing programs, participating municipalities offer their residents reduced loan payments and interest rates. This program includes your loan repayment in your property tax bills. Only some municipalities participate in the program, so contact your directly to verify availability.

Net-metering programs allow customers to return excess energy to the grid for future utility bill credits. Under Nebraska’s net-metering program, the payback electricity rate is very low. Your credits are returned at the “avoided cost” rate, equivalent to the price utility companies pay for electricity. However, Nebraska homeowners still benefit from adding these credits to their electricity bills to lower future costs. Availability varies between companies, so check with your local utility company for net-metering programs.


What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?

When comparing potential solar panel companies, consider the following key features to help make your decision. 

Solar Services

We recommend working with solar installation companies that offer in-house installers. These teams work directly with the provider, offering better installation quality and communication. When working with third-party contractors, solar panel installation results may vary between areas. In addition, you’ll have a different point of contact outside of the solar provider, making communication between all parties more difficult.

You should also consider companies that offer additional solar and home services. These services may help with solar system maintenance and home efficiency or assist with other home improvement projects. Here are some examples of additional offered services:

  • Dedicated mobile app or web portal
  • Electrical or roofing services
  • Energy efficiency audits
  • Energy-efficient upgrades
  • Home energy monitoring 
  • Smart home device installation 
  • Solar system monitoring 

Warranties

Your warranty should provide 25 years of coverage, which is the average life span of solar panels. Most solar providers offer two or more warranty types that protect your system’s performance and longevity. We’ve provided an overview of typical warranty types below.

  • Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: The warranty covers any manufacturing defects or issues. 
  • Workmanship (or labor) warranty: You’re covered for any solar system problems that result from poor installation.
  • Power performance guarantee: This coverage outlines the estimated linear performance of your panels and offers replacement or repair options if they fall below those performance levels.

Coverage length varies between solar providers. We found that companies offering higher-quality solar panels include better long-term coverage than cheaper panel options

Payment Options

Some options, including cash payments and solar loans, offer better financial benefits, including qualification for solar incentives, rebates, and credits. Here’s a closer look at the most common payment options:

  • Up-front (or cash) payments: You pay the up-front cost for your panels without additional interest rates adding to the total.
  • Solar loans: This payment option requires a down payment and includes smaller payments with interest over a set time frame.
  • Solar leases: You pay little to no money down and make monthly payments to lease the solar electric system from the provider.
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): Instead of leasing the system, you only pay for the solar energy you use.

Since solar leases and PPAs keep the system ownership with the solar provider, you are disqualified from additional solar incentive savings. We don’t recommend leasing a system unless you are adamant about not owning your solar system. Instead, we recommend choosing up-front payments or solar loans for the best return on your investment. 

Customer Support

Look for solar installers with multiple contact options for their customer support team. Typical methods include phone, email, or online phone. Additional contact options include SMS and online chat. Some companies also contact technical support teams directly through their dedicated mobile app or web portal. In addition, check third-party customer review sites for mentions of any ongoing customer service issues, such as unanswered calls or unfriendly representatives.


How To Get a Solar Quote in Nebraska

Nebraska homeowners should compare several solar quotes to determine the best solar company for them. These quotes outline your potential solar power system, installation costs, and warranty coverage. We’ve outlined the typical process to obtain a solar quote process below.

  1. Contact each solar company: Visit the company website to initiate your quote. Most companies offer phone numbers, emails, or online forms to begin the process. When we tried calling for quotes, we spoke to two representatives during the quote process.
  2. Schedule a solar consultation: You’ll schedule a virtual or in-person consultation with a company salesperson. We recommend setting aside at least two hours for your appointment.
  3. Find your latest electricity bill: You’ll need your latest energy bill to help the representative determine your average energy needs. Some installers ask for multiple months of bills to get a better picture of your month-to-month usage.
  4. Determine your roof space: Each company will conduct a site assessment to review your roof design and available space. Depending on your panel type, you may need ample roof for your installation. The consultant will also find the best location without any shading to ensure your solar panels receive direct sunlight.
  5. Create your solar system: The consultant will design your system based on the previous assessments. You can choose your panel brand, system components, and add-on accessories, including solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. 
  6. Review each finalized quote: When we spoke with solar installers, they advised that your final quote should contain itemized details for all equipment costs, labor charges, and warranty coverage. You should also receive details on financing options and an estimated payback period for when your panels will pay for themselves.

Our Conclusion

We picked LGCY Power as the top solar company in Nebraska. The company offers comprehensive solar consultations, and experienced roofing services.

We recommend requesting free quotes from at least three companies to compare offered equipment, services, and warranty coverage.

Other Nebraska Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in Nebraska

Is Nebraska a good state for solar?

Yes, Nebraska is a good state for solar, thanks to its plentiful sunny days and potential for solar energy growth. The state receives 223 sunny days yearly, higher than the U.S. average of 205. Despite limited solar energy use, PV Magazine says Nebraska ranks thirteenth in the nation for solar energy potential. Residents also benefit from lower energy costs and a reduced carbon footprint. 

Does Nebraska have a solar tax credit?

Yes, Nebraska does have a federal tax credit that provides up to 30% off installation costs. Unfortunately, Nebraska doesn’t offer a state tax credit or tax exemptions for sales tax or property tax.

Do solar panels add property value in Nebraska?

Yes, solar panels add property value in Nebraska. Zillow says solar-powered homes sell for 4.1% more than homes with traditional grid connections. However, Nebraska has no property tax exemption for solar systems, so your property taxes will increase with a new system installation.

How much solar energy does Nebraska use?

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), about 0.3% of the state’s energy comes from solar electric electricity.


Our Rating Methodology

We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.