There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
In 2019, Kentucky lawmakers enacted Senate Bill 100, which guts net metering rules in the state. We’d like to say we’re hopeful there will be an improvement here for 2021 and beyond, but truth be told, governor Andy Beshear and state lawmakers have bigger fish to fry. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for any movement, but don’t hold your breath.
On this page, we cover all of the solar and battery incentives, rebates and tax credits available for your Kentucky home. We also encourage you to use the Kentucky solar incentives calculator above. It allows you to drill down and show only the solar incentives that are applicable where you live.
Learn what solar incentives are available to Kentucky homeowners
See what Kentucky solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Kentucky solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Kentucky
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels. Before 2020, the net metering policy in Kentucky was probably the best individual law in the state to help make home solar power here compelling.
While net metering used to be required by all utilities in the state, that law has been scrapped, in favor of regulators being able to set new rates to pay solar owners for their excess generation.
All surplus electricity generation will now no longer be credited to your next month’s bill at your utility’s full retail rate, instead this rate will be much lower. The rate has not yet been determined by the Kentucky Public Services Commission. Estimates for 2021 and beyond show the bill credit amount at 55% of retail rates. That means, for every kWh you send back into the grid with your solar panels, you’ll be credited $.068 instead of the full retail rate of $0.124.
Regardless, at least that is some credit for the solar power you aren’t able to use. However, it’s now more important than ever to properly size your solar energy system well, and perhaps look into installing onsite energy storage so you aren’t sending power back to the utility for reduced credit.
Learn more: Kentucky’s net metering law changes and what they mean for you
While Kentucky does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.
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Prices based on a 11.4kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
11 solar companies in Kentucky provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.66 79 Reviews
Matt Peak, 1 day ago
I am wrapping up my experience with Purelight right now and have to say they are absolutely top of the line! From the initial sales meetings, they provided clear and consistent communication and we never felt left behind throughout the whole process. Our family highly recommends Purelight to anyone interested in going solar!
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Matt Peak, 1 day ago
I am wrapping up my experience with Purelight right now and have to say they are absolutely top of the line! From the initial sales meetings, they provided clear and consistent communication and we never felt left behind throughout the whole process. Our family highly recommends Purelight to anyone interested in going solar!
4.58 13 Reviews
kicking it solar style, over 1 month
I started researching for a solar system for my house back in the spring after hearing that the federal incentive was about to expire in a year or 2. I've always been interested in residential solar power since it came out years ago but like alot of technology, the systems were so expensive back then. The fact that the panels have became better, more efficient & cheaper plus the fact of the federal incentive expiring finally made it affordable. After watching hundreds of vids on YouTube, & being 65 with health issues, I decided on getting some quotes from local installers as opposed to a DIY system like a many of the vids I had watched. Well long story short, I chose Mann Solar & I'm so glad I did. Nathan Mann was very easy to talk to about this business. He'd been doing it for several years & he answered all my questions without hesitation. He came up with a great solar package that best suited my house & my needs for a great price. I would highly recommend him & his company to anyone interested in solar power for their home or business.
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kicking it solar style, over 1 month
I started researching for a solar system for my house back in the spring after hearing that the federal incentive was about to expire in a year or 2. I've always been interested in residential solar power since it came out years ago but like alot of technology, the systems were so expensive back then. The fact that the panels have became better, more efficient & cheaper plus the fact of the federal incentive expiring finally made it affordable. After watching hundreds of vids on YouTube, & being 65 with health issues, I decided on getting some quotes from local installers as opposed to a DIY system like a many of the vids I had watched. Well long story short, I chose Mann Solar & I'm so glad I did. Nathan Mann was very easy to talk to about this business. He'd been doing it for several years & he answered all my questions without hesitation. He came up with a great solar package that best suited my house & my needs for a great price. I would highly recommend him & his company to anyone interested in solar power for their home or business.
4.46 9 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Several friends also have used Sam Avery (Avery and Sun) for their Solar systems with excellent results.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
Several friends also have used Sam Avery (Avery and Sun) for their Solar systems with excellent results.
4.44 1,766 Reviews
Jena, 1 day ago
Such a terrible company to work with. Would never in my wildest dreams recommend them to anyone asking about solar. From date of signing contract with their delays, then getting less in federal incentives because of that delay, to the leak they put in my roof, to my system barely being over 2 years and doesn't work at all for months and their technician no showing to the appointment to diagnose to being told it was canceled without notice. A warning to all go with another company.
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Jena, 1 day ago
Such a terrible company to work with. Would never in my wildest dreams recommend them to anyone asking about solar. From date of signing contract with their delays, then getting less in federal incentives because of that delay, to the leak they put in my roof, to my system barely being over 2 years and doesn't work at all for months and their technician no showing to the appointment to diagnose to being told it was canceled without notice. A warning to all go with another company.
4.35 23 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
SunLight Solutions has solved our high energy bills. Our electric bills keep increasing and now after our solar panels have been installed our first bill has shown a nearly 50% decrease. Everyone at Solar Energy has been so friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Keeping in touch with us and letting us know what to expect with every step was so helpful and we found it to be very comforting.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
SunLight Solutions has solved our high energy bills. Our electric bills keep increasing and now after our solar panels have been installed our first bill has shown a nearly 50% decrease. Everyone at Solar Energy has been so friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Keeping in touch with us and letting us know what to expect with every step was so helpful and we found it to be very comforting.
4.06 3 Reviews
Ron Ungerer, 1 week ago
We had a grid tied solar system installed on our home, it was a wonderful experience. From the initial consultation with Evan and Greg to being able to see our energy production on the app at the completion - it was everything we hoped for. The Coldstream team was able to answer questions and navigate dealing with our grid provider. They were there to answer questions and explain the process. Installation was quick and thorough. Again they explained how the system was being installed and how it functioned. Coldstream has stayed in contact to assure our satisfaction. The app allows us to see - in 15 minute increments - energy taken off the grid at night, our enery consumption through the 24hrs, our solar energy production, … and best of all our banking of energy put back on to the grid!!! We could not be happier with our choice of Coldstream as our solar contractor. They are highly recommended!!!
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Ron Ungerer, 1 week ago
We had a grid tied solar system installed on our home, it was a wonderful experience. From the initial consultation with Evan and Greg to being able to see our energy production on the app at the completion - it was everything we hoped for. The Coldstream team was able to answer questions and navigate dealing with our grid provider. They were there to answer questions and explain the process. Installation was quick and thorough. Again they explained how the system was being installed and how it functioned. Coldstream has stayed in contact to assure our satisfaction. The app allows us to see - in 15 minute increments - energy taken off the grid at night, our enery consumption through the 24hrs, our solar energy production, … and best of all our banking of energy put back on to the grid!!! We could not be happier with our choice of Coldstream as our solar contractor. They are highly recommended!!!
4.03 9 Reviews
The Kirk's , over 1 month
I had nothing but the best service from ICON solar from the first time I contacted them until the install was complete. They were very informative on all the questions I had. The installers were polite and very pleasant to work with. I would HIGHLY recommend ICON if you are considering solar.
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The Kirk's , over 1 month
I had nothing but the best service from ICON solar from the first time I contacted them until the install was complete. They were very informative on all the questions I had. The installers were polite and very pleasant to work with. I would HIGHLY recommend ICON if you are considering solar.
3.93 2 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
We started our solar project in March of this year, and realized that one of the first steps would be to convince our Home Owners Association (HOA) that solar was a good idea for our neighborhood. They did not have any policy in place, so we introduced them to the project, with Harvest Energy presenting at one of the board meetings. <br /><br />There was interest from the HOA board, but they needed a little more time and background information, and of course they needed to come up with some language to craft their policy. Working with John Blattner of Harvest Energy, I had decided to use SunPower panels, based on their efficiency and aesthetic appeal. We chose the Signature Black X21 350 W panels with anti-reflective glass.<br /><br />As we wound through the regulations and governmental permit requirements, Harvest Energy kept me updated on the process. By August we had received all the necessary permissions and permits, and the HOA had put together a simple, yet comprehensive policy. Once we got the official go ahead from our HOA, the panels were installed and after a couple weeks and the final inspection by our electricity supplier, DTE, the system was energized we started generating electricity on October 2. Once we had all the permits, the installation went quickly and smoothly, only taking about 3 days.<br /><br />The process was long, but this is what you can expect when you start from zero. Ours was the first house in our neighborhood to put in solar energy generation, so it had to follow the process. I appreciate the legwork done by John Blattner of Harvest Energy, but also the work done by our HOA to come up with a reasonable policy in a relatively short time. They are all volunteers, so they were doing their work in the evenings and weekends to come up with a policy. Special thanks to our Architecture Enforcement Committee chair for creating the language for the policy.<br /><br />Now that we are producing, I am really satisfied with the overall result. The panels look great and are generating enough electricity over the past week to offset over 80% of our electricity demand. We sourced the project with an expectation of meeting 62% of our needs. Of course, it will change as the amount of sunlight changes, but so far I am really happy with the production.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
We started our solar project in March of this year, and realized that one of the first steps would be to convince our Home Owners Association (HOA) that solar was a good idea for our neighborhood. They did not have any policy in place, so we introduced them to the project, with Harvest Energy presenting at one of the board meetings. <br /><br />There was interest from the HOA board, but they needed a little more time and background information, and of course they needed to come up with some language to craft their policy. Working with John Blattner of Harvest Energy, I had decided to use SunPower panels, based on their efficiency and aesthetic appeal. We chose the Signature Black X21 350 W panels with anti-reflective glass.<br /><br />As we wound through the regulations and governmental permit requirements, Harvest Energy kept me updated on the process. By August we had received all the necessary permissions and permits, and the HOA had put together a simple, yet comprehensive policy. Once we got the official go ahead from our HOA, the panels were installed and after a couple weeks and the final inspection by our electricity supplier, DTE, the system was energized we started generating electricity on October 2. Once we had all the permits, the installation went quickly and smoothly, only taking about 3 days.<br /><br />The process was long, but this is what you can expect when you start from zero. Ours was the first house in our neighborhood to put in solar energy generation, so it had to follow the process. I appreciate the legwork done by John Blattner of Harvest Energy, but also the work done by our HOA to come up with a reasonable policy in a relatively short time. They are all volunteers, so they were doing their work in the evenings and weekends to come up with a policy. Special thanks to our Architecture Enforcement Committee chair for creating the language for the policy.<br /><br />Now that we are producing, I am really satisfied with the overall result. The panels look great and are generating enough electricity over the past week to offset over 80% of our electricity demand. We sourced the project with an expectation of meeting 62% of our needs. Of course, it will change as the amount of sunlight changes, but so far I am really happy with the production.
3.75 1 Reviews
Collin K, over 1 month
RegenEn Solar just finished our 54 panel installation. Excellent job on our house. The workers were professional and knowledgeable and cleaned up any mess immediately. Only one day delayed for very bad weather. They showed up ready to go when they promised to be here. They did exactly what we wanted and for the price we agreed upon. They walked us through the permit process step by step so we could start on schedule. We appreciated their attention to detail not just with the functionality but the appearance of the installation as well. Excellent job. We are so pleased with our net zero utility bill. Thank you Dan!.
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Collin K, over 1 month
RegenEn Solar just finished our 54 panel installation. Excellent job on our house. The workers were professional and knowledgeable and cleaned up any mess immediately. Only one day delayed for very bad weather. They showed up ready to go when they promised to be here. They did exactly what we wanted and for the price we agreed upon. They walked us through the permit process step by step so we could start on schedule. We appreciated their attention to detail not just with the functionality but the appearance of the installation as well. Excellent job. We are so pleased with our net zero utility bill. Thank you Dan!.
3.75 1 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
These guys did a super job, they rolled in at 7:30 am with all the big equipment, ready to work, at the end of the day we had a beautiful system, ready to be plugged in!! The following week after all the coordination with electricians and power company we were hooked up and making power at the end of the day!!<br />These guys are fast, professional, friendly, highly skilled, a 3 man crew did all of the installation. We are very pleased and highly recommend them.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
These guys did a super job, they rolled in at 7:30 am with all the big equipment, ready to work, at the end of the day we had a beautiful system, ready to be plugged in!! The following week after all the coordination with electricians and power company we were hooked up and making power at the end of the day!!<br />These guys are fast, professional, friendly, highly skilled, a 3 man crew did all of the installation. We are very pleased and highly recommend them.