Solar Energy Center

Renewable Energy Center

We urge members to contact us before signing any contracts for purchase and installation of renewable/solar units. Interconnection to the electrical system requires approval from the cooperative. We can help our members review proposals to determine if solar is the right fit for you.

4 Rivers has a moratorium for new interconnections to our Americus, Studebaker and Thunderbird substations. Call us at 620-364-2116 for more information or send us a message.

As a member-owned electric cooperative, we provide information to help members understand how renewable energy works and what options are available. This includes details on installation requirements, applications, incentives and system ownership. Our goal is to give you the resources you need to make an informed decision about whether renewable energy is a good fit for your home or business.

Understanding Solar Limits and Safe Interconnection

At 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative, we support utility-scale renewable energy as part of our balanced mix of energy sources that serve our entire membership efficiently and affordably. Occasionally, members choose to install solar inverting systems at their homes. While 4 Rivers provides technical assistance with system sizing, safety protocols, and interconnection requirements, we urge our members to truly consider the longterm cost of the system, which is not often a sound financial decision.

We encourage investing wisely in energy efficiency improvements to help cut back on electric consumption before considering the high cost of solar installation. Also, there are limits to how much distributed generation (DG), like rooftop solar, can be connected to a single substation or circuit.

Why Are There Limits on How Much DG Can Be Connected?

There are limits to how much distributed generation (DG), like rooftop solar, can be connected to a single substation or circuit.

Our electric grid was originally designed for one-way power flow — from substations out to homes and businesses. When excess energy is pushed back onto the grid from DG, this creates two-way flow, which can cause problems if too many systems are feeding in at once.

Too much generation on a single circuit can lead to:

Voltage instability, which can damage equipment.
Safety concerns for linemen working on what should be de-energized lines.
Protection system issues, where the system may not detect or isolate faults correctly.

To ensure a safe, reliable system, 4 Rivers requires an approved interconnection agreement before any DG system can be connected to our grid. This confirms the proposed system meets technical requirements and that capacity is available on the circuit.

A Note on Solar Sales

Unfortunately, some solar companies use aggressive sales tactics or make misleading claims about energy savings, tax credits, or payback periods. We do not partner with third-party solar suppliers and would like to identify the companies making these claims.

If you are approached by a company claiming to be part of 4 Rivers or are partnered with 4 Rivers, please jot down the name of that company and send it to us.

We strongly encourage members to contact us before signing any contract. Our team can help you:

Confirm if DG capacity is available for your location.
Review your electric usage history to determine if solar could reduce your costs.
Understand how net metering and parallel generation works.
Avoid buying an unnecessarily large (and costly) system that may never recoup its investment.

Our Goal

At 4 Rivers, our goal is to help members make informed, financially sound energy decisions — while protecting system reliability and keeping costs fair and reasonable for everyone.

Thinking about solar? Start by calling our member services team. We’re here to help you make the best decision.

Solar FAQs

Photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells) convert light from the sun into electricity. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are made from materials such as silicon and convert photons from the sun’s rays directly into electrons to produce an electric current. The individual solar cells are connected together to form a module, also known as a solar panel. Once the light hits the panels and is absorbed, electricity is generated.

Reliable and needs little maintenance

Environmentally safe technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity

Helps ensure our energy future by tapping into an infinite, renewable power supply

Produced domestically, strengthening our economy

Modular and flexible in terms of size and applications

Helps meet the demand and capacity challenges facing many energy service providers

Can be installed to just about any building type or stand alone on your property

The amount of sun available to generate energy in your area will vary, depending on latitude (sun angle), cloud cover, and a clear path to the sun. Some of the considerations include south-facing roof structure, age/condition of your roof, and trees or other structures that may cause shading. Kansas averages about five to six hours of sun per day. You will need to consider several factors and consult a solar contractors to learn if your home is suitable for solar installation.

If you are thinking about getting solar for your home, you can complete the project via leasing or purchasing. With a lease, there is little to no money down upfront, you can typically get approved with lower credit scores, and you still support clean energy. However, be aware that most solar leases place a lien on your home which impacts resale value. You could also end up paying more for the solar panels than you would if you purchased them upfront. You are also ineligible for solar tax credits when you lease, as the contractor typically receives this benefit. With a solar purchase, you maintain full ownership of the panels and can reap these benefits. You may purchase them outright or through financing.

Even when rooftop solar isn't a fit, we have options for you. Whether you're a renter, your home isn’t positioned for solar, or the return on investment just doesn’t make sense for you, you can still participate in and support clean energy without rooftop solar panels.

Did you know you’re already benefiting from solar energy? That’s right! Without owning rooftop panels, you still get the benefits of solar energy because a portion of the energy that 4 Rivers Electric provides to its members comes from solar and other renewable sources.

We’re increasing clean energy for members. 4 Rivers Electric's is committed to providing clean energy that meets the needs of our members both today and in the future.

Assess your solar readiness

Consider the below questions before choosing solar for your home:

Does my home have clear and unobstructed access to sunlight for most, or all, of the day, throughout the year?
Do I have a large enough roof or area to accommodate the system I need?
Does my community or homeowners association (HOA) have any covenants in place that prohibit solar panels?

Calculate return on investment

Before choosing to install solar, we recommend learning the true return on investment for your project. This includes getting quotes and weighing the costs and benefits of rooftop solar:

Costs

Solar purchase and install: Solar prices will vary based on the contractor and the extent to which they are offering a turnkey service. We recommend that you obtain at least three quotes in order to make an informed decision. When your contractor visits your home, make sure you are prepared to ask them the right questions, including how long you should expect your system to last and what maintenance may be required.
- Depending on your specific need and location, there are a number of factors that affect the cost of a rooftop solar array. Your contractor will be able to help assess your home’s needs. This includes:
  - System size: Because of economies of scale, large systems cost less per watt than small systems. The size of the system you choose will be based on your solar goals and physical attributes of your home.
  - Installation complexity: More complex installations, including mounting systems on racks, working around obstructions or on tile roofs can be more expensive.
  - System production: Installing your system at the optimal orientation and tilt will maximize system production. The more energy your system produces over time, the lower the cost per kilowatt hour.
Rooftop solar assessment: Use our online tool to answer a few questions to generate an estimate of your solar generation potential, ongoing utility costs and estimated payback period for a rooftop solar system.
Battery storage system: Many members who install rooftop solar also choose to purchase a battery storage system. These systems allow you to store the power produced by the rooftop solar panels for later use, such as at night when solar panels are not producing solar energy but the home is still consuming it. Battery costs will vary by contractor, so we recommend obtaining three or more quotes.
Roof replacement: Rooftop solar panels are drilled into your roof directly. It is very important that your roof is in good condition so it can physically support solar panels. It is better to replace the roof prior to installation if needed. It can be costly to remove the solar system after installation, replace the roof and then re-install the solar system. Roof replacement can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more, so it is an important factor to consider.
Tree removal: You may decide that tree removal is necessary to get optimal solar output from your system. Tree removal can range from $100 to $5,000+ depending on the amount and size of trees that you want to have removed.
Your electric rate: A common misconception with solar is that you will no longer receive an electric bill, or that your electric bill will be $0. Even members who purchase solar panels and a battery storage system will receive a bill each month. This is because solar arrays are not typically sized to meet the total energy needs of the home. Production can also be variable based on the weather. Solar members often rely on 4 Rivers Electric for at least a portion of their power, and they depend on the reliability offered by the grid.
Energy efficiency improvements: By making your home more energy efficient, you can reduce your energy use and the number of solar panels needed for your home. Making improvements can help ensure that the solar power generated is being used as efficiently as possible.
Operation and maintenance: Compared to other distributed energy technologies, operation and maintenance costs of photovoltaic systems are relatively low. Costs may include occasional cleaning of photovoltaic modules, regular visual inspections and possible repair or replacement of the inverter and/or components after a number of years.

Benefits

Tax credits: If available, you should plan to take advantage of any tax credits applicable to your system. Your tax advisor can provide guidance or you can see a list of solar resources.
Non-tangible benefits: While many of the benefits and costs listed above have clear dollar values tied to them, you may calculate the return on investment on your solar project and find that solar does not make financial sense for you. Many members still choose to pursue an installation anyway due to the non-tangible benefits. These can include reducing your carbon footprint, supporting renewable energy, and being an early adopter of green technology.

4 Rivers Electric Cooperative has long encouraged the efficient use of electricity and renewable energy technologies. As a 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative member, you can choose to participate in Rooftop Solar. If you’ve already determined that rooftop solar makes sense for your home, follow the steps below along with our interconnect agreement to install your system in 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative's service territory.