Kentucky's electricity prices average $0.11/kWh, below the national average of $0.14/kWh and slightly down from the year prior. Overall Kentucky has the ninth lowest electricity prices in the nation.
The average cost of a 5.5kW (equivalent to saving about 100 trees a year) solar power system starts around $12,000 in Kentucky. That system would pay for itself through energy savings within 6-7 years. System life can span well over 25 years, and savings will improve with inflation.
Under Kentucky's net metering policy, utilities must give homeowners full credit for solar power put into the power grid. The Corn-cracker State also offers a $500 tax credit for residents as well. Customers of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), also qualify for a a $1000 solar rebate and a feed-in tariff equal to the retail price of the electricity plus $0.02/kWh, which is better than net metering. However this is precarious, as in 2019 Kentucky passed a bill allowing the Public Service Commission to set the rate at which excess power generation shall be credited. The state has no renewable portfolio standard, or RPS.
The solar job sector grew by 20% in Kentucky in 2016. That year saw $22 million invested into solar installations, supporting over 40 solar companies employing over 1,200 people. The state now has nearly enough grid-tied rooftop solar to power 600 homes around the clock as if they were off-grid.
Data from DSIRE. For more info visit: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Name | Implementing Sector | Program Type | Administrator | DSIRE ID |
---|---|---|---|---|
Solar Easements | State | Solar/Wind Access Policy | 11 | |
Net Metering Pilot Program - LG&E | Utility | Net Metering | 1040 | |
Net Metering Pilot Program - Kentucky Utilities (KU) | Utility | Net Metering | 1041 | |
Net Metering Pilot Program - ULH&P | Utility | Net Metering | 1042 | |
Net Metering Pilot Program - Berea College Utilities | Utility | Net Metering | 1043 | |
Interconnection Standards | State | Interconnection | 1074 | |
Electric Cooperative On-Bill Financing Program | Utility | Loan Program | 4553 | |
Columbia Gas of Kentucky - Low Income Furnace Replacement Program | Utility | Rebate Program | 5238 | |
Tax Credits for Renewable Energy Facilities | State | Corporate Tax Credit | Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (Dept. of Financial Incentives) | 5328 |
Inter-County Energy Efficiency Program | Utility | Rebate Program | Inter-County Energy | 5413 |
Inter-County Energy Touchstone New Construction Program | Utility | Rebate Program | Inter-County Energy | 5414 |
Inter-County Energy Efficiency Loan Program | Utility | Loan Program | Inter-County Energy | 5415 |
TVA - Solar Solutions Initiative | Utility | Performance-Based Incentive | 5614 | |
Cumberland Valley Electric Cooperative - Business Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Utility | Rebate Program | 5801 | |
Taylor County RECC - Business Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Utility | Rebate Program | 5802 | |
Farmers RECC - Business Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Utility | Rebate Program | 5806 | |
Solar & Wind Siting Standards for Merchant Generators | State | Solar/Wind Permitting Standards | 5856 | |
City of Louisville - Go Green Loan Program | Local | Loan Program | Metropolitan Business Development Corporation | 5885 |
City of Louisville - Go Green Loan Program | Local | Loan Program | The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) | 5916 |
Kenergy - Commercial and Industrial Services | Utility | Energy Analysis | 14980 | |
Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center - Technical Services | Non-Profit | Energy Analysis | 14981 | |
Warren RECC - Energy Management Audits | Utility | Energy Analysis | 14998 | |
Louisville Gas and Electric - Commercial Energy Analysis | Utility | Energy Analysis | 16558 | |
U.S. Department of Energy - Industrial Assessment Center (IAC): University of Dayton | Federal | Energy Analysis | U.S. Department of Energy | 17066 |
Clark Energy - Commercial Energy Audits | Other | Energy Analysis | 17158 | |
Cumberland Valley Electric Cooperative - Commercial Energy Audit | Other | Energy Analysis | Cumberland Valley Electric Cooperative | 17835 |
Hopkinsville Electric System - Technical Assistance | Other | Energy Analysis | 17843 | |
Jackson Purchase Energy Corp - Commercial Energy Suite | Other | Energy Analysis | 17845 | |
Big Sandy Rural Electric Coop Corp - Business Energy Solutions | Other | Energy Analysis | Big Sandy Rural Electric Coop Corp | 19251 |
Kentucky Utilities - Commercial Energy Calculator | Utility | Energy Analysis | 19409 | |
Meade County RECC - Commercial Energy Calculator | Other | Energy Analysis | 20076 | |
Hopkinsville Electric System - Green Power Switch | Other | Other | 20168 | |
Kenergy - Commercial Energy Calculator | Utility | Energy Analysis | 20382 | |
Inter-County Energy Efficiency - Audit Services | Other | Energy Analysis | 20935 | |
Cumberland Valley Electric Cooperative - Net Metering | Other | Other | Cumberland Valley Electric Cooperative | 20982 |
Farmers RECC - EnviroWatts | Other | Other | 21062 | |
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - Midwest Industrial Initiative | Non-Profit | Energy Analysis | Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance | 21785 |
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - Building Operator Certification | Non-Profit | Training and Information | Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance | 21791 |
U.S. Department of Energy - Industrial Assessment Center (IAC): University of Kentucky | Federal | Energy Analysis | U.S. Department of Energy | 22038 |