Solar In Arkansas

ARKANSAS

The state of Arkansas enjoys a warm subtropical climate and an average of 218 sunny days per year.* According to Google’s Project Sunroof, 80% of buildings in the state are solar-viable, amounting to 634 million square feet of roof space and 11.4 million MWh AC per year.*

Arkansas has a good solar potential, with an average of 4.69 hours of peak sun per day. This means that solar panels can generate a significant amount of electricity in the state. In fact, Arkansas ranks 30th in the country for solar potential.

Although the electricity rates in Arkansas are comparatively affordable right now, $89.52 per month for the average household, * major electricity providers in the state plan to raise their rates starting in June 2022.* With the prospect of increased electricity costs, going solar in Arkansas looks even more attractive.

Solar potential in Arkansas?

In 2020, solar energy accounted for 6% of the renewable electricity production in Arkansas. The southern state’s solar capacity currently equals 581 MW.* While these are modest numbers, the solar energy production in Arkansas is 60 times higher today than it was in 2015 – a promising trend for the future of clean energy in the state.

The state of Arkansas has been slow to adopt solar energy, but there is a growing interest in the technology. In 2020, the state installed 100 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity, which was a 50% increase from the previous year. The state has a goal of installing 1,000 MW of solar capacity by 2030.

There are a number of reasons why solar energy is becoming more popular in Arkansas. One reason is the cost of solar panels has been declining. Another reason is the state has a number of financial incentives for solar energy, including a 30% federal tax credit and a state rebate of $0.10 per watt.

Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that can help Arkansas reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Solar energy is also a good source of jobs. The solar industry employs over 1,000 people in Arkansas, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years.

Arkansas is well-positioned to be a leader in solar energy production. The state has abundant sunshine, a growing demand for renewable energy, and a skilled workforce. Solar energy is a key part of Arkansas’ clean energy future.

Cost of solar in Arkansas?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:

Roof type, angle, and condition
License cost
Quality of the solar panels
Any required structural adjustments

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Arkansas, we found that the average cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,950 to $13,800, or in other words from $2.59 to $2.76 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Over the past decade, average solar panel costs have fallen by 70%. Thanks to this trend, solar systems have become a lot more affordable. In 2010, a PV system could easily cost $40,000, a forbidding price for most homeowners.* Today, a home solar system is a financially viable option with a much shorter ROI period.

Arkansas homeowners can recoup some of their solar system installation costs by taking advantage of the federal 26% tax credit. *

Additionally, in Arkansas, the state mandates that electricity providers, like Entergy Arkansas, LLC, provide net metering programs to eligible customers.* Net metering allows utility companies to buy back (usually through credits to your electric bill) any surplus power that your system creates and sends to the grid.

Unfortunately, at this time, the state of Arkansas has no Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), solar power rebates, state energy tax credits, local property tax exemptions, or sales tax exemptions for energy.

Advantages?

There are many advantages to using solar energy in Arkansas. Some of the most notable advantages include:

Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can help you reduce your electricity bills immediately by generating your own electricity.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home by making it more energy-efficient.
Environmental benefits: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that does not produce greenhouse gasses
Average System should return its cost within 14 years.

Disadvantages?

There are a few disadvantages to using solar energy in Arkansas. Some of the most notable disadvantages include

Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.

Arkansas state policies?

Arkansas has a number of policies that support solar energy. Some of the most notable policies include:

Net metering: Net metering is a policy that allows solar customers to sell excess electricity back to their utility company at the retail rate.
Property tax exemption. Solar panels are exempt from sales tax in Arkansas. Such as Investment tax credit (ITC) is 40% tac credit for solar energy systems installed.
Tax credits: There are a number of federal and state tax credits available for solar energy.
Rebates: There are a number of rebates available for solar energy from utility companies and other organizations.

Maintaining solar panels

Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.

What's the best way to go solar?

Are you interested in going solar in Arkansas? If so, we can help!

A solar system can help you cut down on energy bills, generate long-term savings, and boost your property’s value.

Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.

We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.

Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.

If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Arkansas, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.

We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!

ARKANSAS