Installing solar in Kentucky is a smart decision for homeowners and businesses alike. With solar panels, you’ll be able to generate your own electricity and lock in lower electricity costs for the lifespan of your system (25+ years).
Keep reading to learn more about solar installation in Kentucky to find out whether solar panels make sense for your Lexington or Louisville home or business.
Does Kentucky Get Enough Sun for Solar?
Kentucky receives a moderate amount of sunlight throughout the year—around 189 sunny days on average. While this is slightly below the national average, it’s still enough to make solar panels a viable investment in Kentucky.
Of course, it’s important to consider your own home or business. The direction your roof faces and the amount of shade it receives throughout the day will impact how much electricity you can generate with solar panels. Provided that your solar panels are installed in an optimal position with minimal shading, they will produce enough electricity to make a Kentucky solar installation worth it, especially during the summer months.
Benefits of Solar Installation in Kentucky
There are many benefits to installing residential or commercial solar panels in Lexington or Louisville, KY.
Electric Bill Savings
Producing your own power with solar panels is more affordable than buying from the grid. The more power you consume, the more money you stand to save with solar panels. If you use an average amount of electricity (1,121 kWh per month for homes) or higher, solar panels are worth it for the electric bill savings.
Inflation-Proof Energy
Grid electricity is generated primarily by burning fossil fuels, which means electricity rates are impacted by fluctuations in fuel costs. Solar panels, on the other hand, are fueled by sunlight—a free energy source—making them inflation-proof.
Federal Solar Incentives & Tax Credits
Did you know the government will help reduce the costs for your KY solar installation? Residential and commercial solar installations in Kentucky are eligible for the federal solar tax credit! The solar tax credit is worth 30% of your total KY solar installation costs, including battery storage.
Commercial solar installations are eligible for additional incentives, including the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant. Agricultural producers and small businesses in eligible rural areas can receive a grant worth up to 50% of their total solar installation costs, plus financing.
Net Metering in Kentucky
All investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and electric cooperatives in Kentucky are required to offer net metering, but there is no set buy-back rate, which means they don’t have to buy your electricity back at the full retail rate. Because Kentucky does not have favorable net metering laws, many people choose to install battery storage with their solar panels. Solar batteries allow you to store the excess electricity your solar panels generate so you can use it yourself instead of sending it to the grid. Using stored energy at night will help further offset your electricity costs. A solar consultant can compare savings with and without a battery with you.
Net metering is under attack in northern Kentucky! Duke Energy is seeking to change its current 1:1 net metering rate. Go solar now to lock in the current net metering rate before these changes take place.
Backup Power
When you pair your solar panels with a battery like the Tesla Powerwall or Tesla Powerpack, you will have backup power during an outage. Grid-tied solar panels typically shut down during a power outage, but solar plus battery systems can stay on by temporarily disconnecting from the grid and operating as an off-grid system.
Energy Independence
Installing solar panels is an opportunity to take control of your own power production. With solar panels and battery storage, you will no longer be at the mercy of your utility company. You’ll be in charge of your own electricity production with lower costs and better reliability.
Solar Energy Solutions: Your Local Kentucky Solar Company
Solar Energy Solutions is a local, family-owned solar installer in Kentucky. We are one of the oldest solar companies in Kentucky and with age comes wisdom! We know how to make solar work for Kentucky homes and businesses and we will help you maximize your solar savings and return on investment. Call us to learn more about solar installation in Louisville, Lexington, and the surrounding areas!
