KENTUCKY
Solar in Kentucky
Kentucky averages around 189 sunny days each year,* making it a prime location for solar energy. The state currently generates enough solar electricity to power over 6,000 homes.* However, according to Google’s Project Sunroof, Kentucky can generate even more – up to 14 million MWh AC per year if 88% of its solar-viable buildings add solar panels.*
Solar potential in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a good solar potential. The state receives an average of 4.7 hours of sunshine per day, and the average annual solar irradiance is 4.5 kWh/m2. This means that solar panels in Kentucky can generate a significant amount of electricity.
Kentucky generated 61.2 MW of solar energy during the first quarter of 2021. The power comes from 2,770 solar installations spread across the state and contributes to 0.15% of Kentucky’s electricity. Projections indicate that solar energy in the Bluegrass State will rise to 817 MW within the next five years.*
Cost of solar Kentucky?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Roof size
Property energy needs
Solar panel brand and quality
Installer rates
Weather
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 Kentucky, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system is $12,250, or in other words, $2.45 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
If you want to save money, these solar incentives reduce the cost of going solar in Kentucky:
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit: Homeowners who purchase their system as opposed to leasing it, can get a tax credit of up to 26% of the total cost of the solar installation.*
USDA Rural Energy for America Program: The program allows businesses to access loans or grants for solar panel installation.
Net Energy Metering: Kentucky’s net metering policy isn’t the best, but it still entitles you to payments for excess electricity sent to the grid by your solar system. The amount paid for your surplus electricity will depend on your utility company.*
Solar Rebates: Kentucky doesn’t have an official solar state rebate policy. However, solar panel manufacturers offer various rebates.
Solar installation costs have dropped by 43% over the last five years, and solar installers expect prices to drop even further in the coming years. Switching to solar energy is also cheaper than relying on the grid. That’s because the average residential electricity grid rate in Kentucky is 9.43¢ per kWh,* while solar power costs around 8.39¢ per kWh.*
Besides saving you money, going solar can help save the planet. Installing solar panels will reduce your carbon footprint, and if 88% of Kentucky buildings go solar, it will reduce C02 emissions by 10.9 million metric tons.*
Lastly, installing solar panels will future-proof your home and add up to $12,000 to its resale value.
Advantages?
Lower electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you save money on your electricity bills. The average Kentucky homeowner can save up to $20,247 on their electricity bills over the lifetime of their solar system.
Increased home value: Solar panels can add value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $7,727 more than homes without solar panels.
Reduced carbon footprint: Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment. Solar panels produce no emissions, which can help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy independence: Solar panels can help you become more energy independent and less reliant on the grid. This can be a valuable asset in the event of a power outage.
Disadvantages?
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Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
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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.
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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.
Kentucky state policies?
Net metering: Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows solar customers to receive credit on their electric bills for the excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. Kentucky has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to receive full retail credit for the electricity they generate and send back to the grid.
Property tax exemptions: Kentucky offers property tax exemptions for solar panels. This can save homeowners money on their property taxes. The value of solar panels is exempt from property taxes in Kentucky.
Utility company incentives: Some utility companies in Kentucky offer incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include discounts on your electricity bill or payments for excess electricity that you generate.
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 Kentucky? If so, we can help!
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 Kentucky, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!