Choosing the right solar installer in Kentucky can feel overwhelming. There are so many questions to answer before making the decision you can spend hours researching. That’s why we’ve simplified it for you.
Our guide highlights Kentucky’s top-rated solar companies, combining Resident Solar Power expert insights with feedback from locals who’ve made the switch.
There is no need to surf the web looking for information crumbs to get the big picture. Years in business, reviews from real customers, online reputation, panel brands, warranty, social media overview, and more—we have it all. The hard work is done to help you make the right decision.
We prioritize companies committed to long-term service and reliability. Here’s our list of Kentucky’s most trusted solar installers:
Solar Energy Solutions review 1038 Brentwood Ct Suite B, Lexington KY, 40511
Synergy Home review 801 Winchester Rd. # 200 Lexington, KY 40505
Our Expert Choice badge goes to SYNERGY HOME, which concentrates on serving fewer than 1 state. With a foundation dating read more…
Commonwealth Solar review 496 High Bridge Rd, Wilmore, KY 40390, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Commonwealth Solar read more…
Commonwealth Solar review 496 High Bridge Rd Wilmore, KY 40390
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Commonwealth Solar read more…
Mann Solar review 1480 Fisher Ford Rd, Lancaster, KY 40444
Mann Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With a read more…
Pure Power Solar review 11226 Bluegrass Pkwy Louisville, KY 40299
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Pure Power read more…
Solar Energy Solutions review 10370 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville KY, 40299
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Solar Energy read more…
Blue Raven Solar review 10503 Timberwood Circle Suite 114, Louisville KY, 40223
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Raven read more…
Blue Raven Solar review 73 Cavalier Blvd, Florence KY, 41042
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Raven read more…
Sustainergy Cooperative review 605 Burns St, Cincinnati, OH 45204
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Sustainergy Cooperative read more…
Solar Energy Solutions review 201 E 5th Street Suite 1900, Cincinnati OH, 45202
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Solar Energy read more…
Blue Raven Solar review 5535 Fair Lane Suite A, Cincinnati OH, 45227
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Raven read more…
Melink Solar review 5130-5140 River Valley Road Milford, Ohio 45150 Cincinnati USA
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Melink Solar read more…
Icon Solar review 50 W Techne Center Dr, Milford OH, 45150
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Icon Solar read more…
Icon Solar review 50 W. Technecenter Dr. Suite K Milford, OH 45150
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Icon Solar read more…
TMI Energy Solutions review 423 W. Wyoming Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45215
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, TMI Energy read more…
Solar Energy Solutions review 2800 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati OH, 45241
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Solar Energy read more…
Feazel review 149 Commerce Dr, Loveland, OH 45140, United States
Feazel is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 5 states. With a foundation read more…
Solar Power and Light review 2411 Crosspointe Dr, Miamisburg, 45342, OH, US
Solar Power and Light is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. read more…
Whole Sun Designs review 6873 S. Old State Road 37 Bloomington, IN 47403
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Whole Sun read more…
Solar Panel Cost in Kentucky
If you’re wondering how much solar panels cost in Kentucky right now, here’s what you need to know. As of October 2025, you’re looking at an average of $2.75 to $3.46 per watt for a complete installation. That breaks down to roughly $13,750 to $17,300 for a standard 5 kW residential solar panel system before any incentives kick in. Solar panel prices can vary significantly depending on what equipment you choose, which installer you go with, and the specifics of your property. The calculations below use mid-range pricing of $2.75 per watt.
How much do solar panels cost in Kentucky after incentives? Well, that 30% federal solar tax credit (which we’ll talk more about in a minute) brings that 5 kW system down to about $9,625 to $12,110. But here’s the thing—that tax credit goes away completely after December 31, 2025. Congress passed legislation that was signed into law in July 2025 that eliminated it starting in 2026.
How Much Are Solar Panels by System Size?
Your total cost to install solar panels really depends on how big your system needs to be. Most residential solar panels in Kentucky end up being somewhere in the 5-8 kW range, which covers what a typical household uses. Here’s what different system sizes will run you (using mid-range pricing of approximately $2.75 per watt):
| System Size | System Cost | System Cost (After 30% Federal Tax Credit) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $8,250 | $5,775 | ||
| 4 kW | $11,000 | $7,700 | ||
| 5 kW | $13,750 | $9,625 | ||
| 6 kW | $16,500 | $11,550 | ||
| 7 kW | $19,250 | $13,475 | ||
| 8 kW | $22,000 | $15,400 | ||
| 9 kW | $24,750 | $17,325 | ||
| 10 kW | $27,500 | $19,250 | ||
| Pricing Disclaimer: The solar panel prices shown are estimates based on data collected from online sources as of October 2025. Actual costs may vary based on your location, system specifications, and installer. | ||||
Kentucky Solar Incentives and Rebates
The good news is there are still some financial incentives that help reduce the overall cost of solar panels in Kentucky. This makes residential solar panels more affordable than they’ve been in years—but time is running out for the biggest one.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Right now, the best solar incentive you can get as a Kentucky homeowner is the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit. It takes 30% off your total installation cost—and we’re talking about everything here: equipment, labor, permits, even the sales tax.
Here’s what you need to know: this incentive completely disappears on December 31, 2025. Your system has to be installed by that date to qualify. For a typical $13,750 system, you’re saving $4,125, which really cuts down how much it costs to install solar panels.
You’ll need to buy your system outright (cash or solar loan work fine) and have enough tax liability to use the credit. If the credit is bigger than what you owe in taxes for the year, no worries—you can roll the remainder over to next year.
Net Metering in Kentucky
This is where things get a bit tricky in Kentucky. There’s no statewide net metering rule, so what you get depends entirely on your utility company.
Full Retail Net Metering:
If you’re with LG&E (Louisville Gas & Electric) or KU Energy, you hit the jackpot. They offer full retail net metering, which means you get 100% value for any extra electricity you send back to the grid. Those credits just keep rolling forward on your account.
Reduced Net Metering:
Duke Energy Kentucky changed their game in January 2025. They switched to what they call a Net Metering II tariff, and it’s not as good for solar customers. Now you only get credited at the “avoided cost rate” for excess power, which is way less than retail. However, if you got your system installed before January 2025, you’re grandfathered into the old, better rate for 25 years. There’s actually an appeal going on about this change in Franklin Circuit Court right now.
Kentucky Power gives you about $0.09 per kWh for excess generation—a bit less than the full retail rate, but not terrible.
Rural and Municipal Utilities:
The 19 state-regulated rural utilities in Kentucky have to offer net metering, and most of them give you full cash credits. Municipal utilities like the ones in Paducah and Bowling Green aren’t required to offer it, though a lot of them do anyway.
Out in western Kentucky, if you’re with a Tennessee Valley Authority utility (Gibson, Pennyrile, Tri-County, Warren, West Kentucky), they’re not required to offer net metering either.
State and Local Incentives
Kentucky doesn’t have its own state-level solar tax credits or rebates right now. But there are a few local options worth checking out:
- Solarize Programs: Every once in a while, areas like Louisville run community group-buy programs where you can get discounts by going solar as a group.
- Property Tax Exemptions: Talk to your county assessor. Some counties won’t raise your property taxes just because you added solar panels.
Solar Battery Incentives
Any solar battery over 3 kWh qualifies for that same 30% federal tax credit (which also ends December 31, 2025). If your utility doesn’t offer great net metering, a battery starts to make more financial sense. Instead of selling your extra power back to the grid at a discount, you store it and use it yourself later for free. Plus, it’s nice to have backup power when the grid goes down.
Electricity Rates in Kentucky
If you’re trying to figure out how much you can save with solar panels in Kentucky, you need to know what you’re paying for electricity now. Kentucky electricity prices have jumped more than 21% since 2021. That trend isn’t slowing down, which makes locking in your energy costs with solar increasingly attractive. And since so much of Kentucky’s power still comes from coal plants, going solar here makes a bigger environmental difference than in a lot of other states.
Most Kentucky utilities charge residential customers somewhere between $0.11 and $0.13 per kWh. With solar panels in Kentucky, you essentially lock in lower rates and don’t have to worry about future increases.
Specific Considerations for Kentucky Solar
Solar Irradiance and Climate
Kentucky gets decent sun—around 4.2 to 4.5 peak sun hours per day on average. That’s plenty to make solar worth it financially. You’ll get more production in spring and summer (obviously), but the system produces consistently year-round.
Winter snow occasionally lands on panels, but it usually slides right off because of the angle, so it rarely affects your annual production. Actually, Kentucky’s moderate temperatures are good for solar efficiency. Panels don’t like extreme heat—it reduces their output—so our climate works in your favor.
Permitting and Interconnection Process
Getting your solar system permitted and connected in Kentucky varies quite a bit depending on where you live and which utility you have.
Building Permits: Most counties and cities require a building permit. Your local building department checks the structural plans to make sure your roof can handle the installation. Every locality has slightly different requirements.
Electrical Permits: All the electrical work needs permits from local authorities and has to meet National Electric Code standards. Your installer’s licensed electrician handles this part.
Utility Interconnection: Each utility has its own application process. The Kentucky Public Service Commission has set some guidelines, but the actual forms and requirements differ by provider. Usually it involves:
- Submitting an application with your system specs
- Utility review and approval
- Getting a bi-directional meter installed (if you don’t already have one)
- Final inspection and permission to operate
Most residential systems qualify for simplified procedures since they’re under 30-45 kW. Processing times are all over the map though—anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the utility.
Timeline Expectations
Average Installation Time
Once you sign a contract until the day that your system arrives and turns on, you’re typically seeing 2 to 4 months in the state of Kentucky. Here’s the breakdown on that:
Initial Consultation and Design (1-2 weeks):
The installer visits your property to evaluate your site and review your energy use, engineers a personalized system, and you close the sale.
Permitting Phase (2-8 weeks):
This will usually be the longest part. Your installer will submit building and electrical permitting forms, submit the forms for utility interconnection, and wait for plan approval and reviews. The amount of time this will consume will greatly vary by jurisdiction.
Installation (1-3 days):
The physical installation—the roof panels, the inverters, the whole electrical equipment—typically takes up 1-3 days for a residential system. It doesn’t interfere with your regular routine that much at all.
Inspection and Interconnection (1-4 weeks):
You receive periodic visits by on-site inspectors to check the structure and electrical installations, the utilities do the final approval and installation of meters, then you get a licence to operate.
Total Timeline: Most Kentucky homeowners have their system up and running within 60-90 days of signing, though permitting delays or utility backlog can stretch that out.
Important Timing Consideration
Since that 30% federal tax credit disappears after December 31, 2025, time is running very short. Given that the typical installation takes 60-90 days, homeowners interested in claiming this credit should contact installers immediately to determine if installation before the deadline is still feasible. Many installers are experiencing high demand as the deadline approaches, which could push timelines even longer.
Is It Worth Going Solar in Kentucky?
Are solar panels worth it in Kentucky? For most homeowners here, yes—even though the state doesn’t offer much in the way of local incentives. Between rising electric rates, that substantial federal tax credit (while it lasts), and equipment that’s warrantied for 25 years, the numbers usually work out well.
Financial Returns
If you pay cash for your system, you’re typically saving around $30,000 or more over 25 years on electricity costs with an average-sized system. Even if you finance it, your monthly loan payment is often less than what you were paying the utility, so you’re cash-flow positive from day one.
Payback Period
With the 30% federal tax credit, most Kentucky systems pay for themselves in 8-12 years. That leaves you with 13-17 years of essentially free electricity. Without that tax credit (so, anything installed after 2025), payback stretches to 11-16 years.
Environmental Impact
Since Kentucky still generates most of its electricity from coal, your solar installation makes a bigger environmental dent here than it would in states with cleaner grids. A residential system offsets a significant amount of carbon emissions over its lifetime.
Property Value
Study after study shows that solar increases home values. Buyers are willing to pay more for a house that already has solar—especially if it’s owned, not leased—because of the lower electricity costs.
Key Considerations
- Net metering policies: This matters a lot for your return on investment. If you’re with LG&E or KU with their full retail net metering, your economics are going to be better than with some other utilities.
- Roof condition: Make sure your roof has at least 15-20 years of life left. You don’t want to pay to remove and reinstall your panels for a roof replacement.
- Electricity usage: Generally, the more electricity you use, the better solar pencils out.
- System ownership: Buying your system (whether with cash or a loan) gives you way better long-term value than leasing.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save Me in Kentucky?
Finding out how much you can save on solar in Kentucky is not a straightforward answer. It depends on several factors, including the solar billing of your utility company, the size of a potential solar system on your roof, and your household’s energy consumption. While most solar installers will try to cover all your electricity needs, the actual savings will depend on your home’s unique conditions. To get a personal estimate of how much you could potentially save by going solar, fill out a simple form on our website, use Google’s Project Sunroof solar savings calculator, or consult with a couple of local solar installation companies for a personalized savings calculation.
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Solar Financing Explained
You can pay for solar panels in a couple of ways:
- Cash
- Installer solar loans
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar Leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
First, there is a cash purchase, which in most cases provides the best price and long-term savings, but the upfront payment is not always what you can afford. If you want to own your solar panels and don’t have about $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank, you’ll have to choose solar panel financing.
You can consider a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, or a solar loan offered by the solar company. However, keep in mind that these loans come with interest and additional fees. Solar loans often are tied to dealer fees, which can increase the total cost of your solar system by 20% or more in exchange for a lower interest rate. To ensure you get the best possible deal, it is wise to compare the dealer fees and interest rates offered by different installers. This way, you can decide based on the most favorable terms available.
Some companies offer solar leases or PPAs that require zero upfront cost. But in such cases, you don’t own solar panels, and you are not eligible for any solar rebates or federal tax credit. And, because you have to pay the solar company monthly, your total solar savings will be lower. Ask for detailed savings calculations from a solar installer to decide on the best option. In most cases, you will still be paying less for electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Rank Solar Installers
Our main goal is to provide homeowners like you with top-rated solar companies you can trust. Our solar experts analyzed thousands of local and nationwide installers to determine who is best in a specific location. The solar company ranking methodology is based on gathering input from homeowner surveys, consulting with industry experts, and extensive research into the solar energy market. Here are the things we believe are the most important to consider when choosing a solar company.
In short, here’s how we pick top installers:
– Company that has been in business for over five years as it indicates stability, reliability, and successful installations.
– Local solar companies over big national ones covering multiple areas as they can provide better personal attention and know more about the solar needs and regulations in their area.
– Companies with hands-on experience and a wealth of projects under their belt are more likely to deliver efficient and timely installations that cater to specific customer needs.
– Companies that handle their own installations instead of outsourcing to subcontractors ensure a higher caliber of work and nurture a culture of excellence and accountability in service.
– Select a company that has a good overall reputation and reviews on sites like SolarReviews, BBB, Google Maps, and Yelp.
– The company is licensed and insured and holds relevant certifications such as NABCEP certification.
– Companies that offer a wide selection of high-quality solar panels and related products and work with reputable brands.
– Companies that provide flexible financing options such as solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
– Installers that provide substantial workmanship warranties and system performance guarantees.
Read more:
Our Methodology
What Made Us Choose Sources for Expert Score?
How We Classify Solar Installers: What Matters Most?
What to Look for In a Solar Company
To ensure that you partner with a great provider that can meet your needs of going solar, look for the following:
– Make sure the solar installer has industry-standard certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), indicating that they meet the gold standard in renewable energy installations. Also, verify if they are licensed, bonded, and insured for residential solar projects in your area. If subcontractors are involved, check their credentials as well.
– Prioritize installers with a proven track record in solar installations, ideally with at least 5+ years of experience. Ask about the number of systems they’ve installed and their project portfolio. A competent installer should openly discuss the solar panels, inverters, and batteries they use if they help to take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, as well as warranty coverage specifics.
– Your installer should be forthcoming about the installation process and answer any questions you might have, like “How many solar panels will I need? Why?”, “Can you give me a detailed cost breakdown based on my energy consumption?”, “What solar panel brands do you install? Why?”, etc.. They should also be transparent about their use of subcontractors, detailing their roles and how their work will be supervised.
– A preliminary evaluation of your roof’s condition is the groundwork. The installer should advise on necessary repairs to ensure it’s ready for solar panel installation and clarify responsibilities for any potential roof damage. Discuss aesthetic concerns, such as the placement of solar panels around roof vents or the possibility of relocating vents for a more visually appealing setup.
– Check the installer’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials. They should be able to connect you with past customers who are willing to share their experiences. Personal recommendations from friends or neighbors who’ve gone solar can also be invaluable.
– Solar installation costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is advisable. Experienced installers will adjust their offers to your home’s specifics—size, energy needs, etc. For an objective cost comparison, calculate the price per watt of the proposed system, giving you a standardized basis to evaluate different quotes.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Always choose a local solar company over a big national corporation. Small local companies that operate in a distinct local area are better than multi-state and national solar companies and large corporations. It’s the small local companies who get the best reviews on our website, and it’s the national multistate companies who get very poor reviews. Why so, you may ask?
Solar is a local service business, for the most part, and it is extremely difficult to run a solar company and offer good customer service to many locations from a central office.
Local ones have a community connection, they know the incentives and regulations in the area better, and they simply care more about you than large businesses trying to get into your pocket and overprice you. While multi-state solar companies might try to convince you by financial stability and “quality of installations across different locations”, try to choose a local company that meets all your criteria.
What Does a Solar Installation Look Like?
Here’s how a solar system installation will look like once the design for your solar system is approved:
– First, a solar installer should estimate your energy needs, and analyze your annual and monthly electricity consumption, which you can find on utility bills measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Such calculations will help to understand potential savings, payback period, and the system size you need.
– A home energy audit is something every experienced solar company would do to understand the size and output needed.
– Next question on the list: are your house’s roof conditions good enough for installation? A solar installer should carefully inspect the roof and ensure its conditions and orientation are good to go, how and where to better place solar panels and wire the system.
– Next, they will design the system and show you how it’s going to look.
You will usually need a permit to install solar panels from your local authorities, and the solar provider should handle all the paperwork.
– The entire process might take up to 3 months depending on the state and local regulations, while the system installation is usually up to 3 days (might take longer depending on roof conditions and system complexity).
– The installation crew should always clean up and remove any debris, leaving your house in good condition.
– When the system is installed, it should be checked and approved by local municipality inspection.
– If you’re connecting your system to the grid, it has to be wired to your local utility system. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company, which will also want to inspect your system to ensure it’s following utility guidelines. Some installers may help you with this step, so always ask. Once you have all the permits, your system will be up and running, powering your home with solar.
Find the Best Solar Installers Near You
