Frankfort, KY Solar Panels
Solar Power in Frankfort
Frankfort homeowners are increasingly asking whether solar makes sense — and it’s easy to see why. Kentucky electricity prices have risen 19% from 2020 to 2024, and that trend has many households looking for ways to get more control over their energy costs. Understanding solar panels for your home is a great place to start.
At Palmetto, we’ll walk you through what solar installation actually looks like for homeowners right here in Frankfort. Read on to get the full picture.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Frankfort, KY?
Using real installation data from Frankfort and surrounding areas like Lawrenceburg, Versailles, and Shelbyville, this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar installation could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky electricity prices have risen 19% since 2020, making solar a smart way for Frankfort homeowners to gain more control over their monthly energy costs.
- A typical Frankfort home could save around $34,000 over 25 years with solar — and leasing options start as low as $81/month with no upfront cost.
- Kentucky requires net metering, meaning your solar panels can earn credits for extra energy sent back to the grid, reducing your utility bill even further.
Frankfort Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Frankfort are climbing. Here’s what the data shows — and why more Kentucky homeowners are paying attention.
Kentucky’s residential electricity rate rose from 11.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 13.0 cents per kWh in 2024 — a 13% increase in just three years. While still below the national average of 16.5 cents per kWh, the upward trend is clear.
Solar can help Frankfort homeowners reduce their dependence on the grid. By generating your own electricity, you rely less on utility rates — which means rising costs have less impact on your monthly budget.
Over the long term, solar acts as a hedge against unpredictable rate increases. Homeowners who go solar today lock in more stability for years to come, regardless of where Kentucky utility prices head next.
Price of Energy: Kentucky vs National Average
Frankfort Area Utility Providers
Frankfort, KY homeowners are served primarily by two utilities: Kentucky Utilities and LG&E. Based on 2023 data, both providers charge below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh — Kentucky Utilities at 12.0¢ and LG&E at 12.4¢.
Kentucky’s historically coal-heavy energy mix has helped keep local rates lower than the national average. In 2023, the state average was 12.70¢ per kWh — meaning both Frankfort providers sit right in line with or just below that benchmark.
Even at below-average rates, electricity costs can still rise over time. For Frankfort homeowners, solar can offer a way to lock in more predictable energy costs and reduce long-term exposure to future rate increases.
Frankfort Utilities Electricity Rates
Kentucky Solar Incentives
Frankfort homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Kentucky that can help reduce the overall cost of going solar.
Kentucky mandates net metering, Duke Energy Kentucky offers up to $9,000 through its PowerPair rebate for solar paired with battery storage, and LG&E and KU customers can participate in a community solar program — all without leaving Frankfort.
Recent federal legislation eliminated the 30% residential solar tax credit. For those considering solar leasing through LightReach, Palmetto handles the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes savings through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Net Metering | Net Metering | Kentucky mandates net metering for investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives, allowing solar customers to receive credits for excess energy sent to the grid, though compensation rates and structures vary by utility. | Learn More |
| LG&E and KU Solar Share Program | Community Solar | LG&E and KU Energy customers can purchase shares of a local community solar project to receive bill credits without installing rooftop solar panels. | |
| Kentucky C-PACE Financing (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) | Financing | Kentucky commercial property owners in eligible counties can finance up to 100% of solar installation costs through C-PACE, repaid as a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill. |
Kentucky state law requires all investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and electric cooperatives — excluding the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) — to offer net metering to customers with qualifying solar energy systems. The state’s net metering policy has recently been updated by SB 100, which increases the eligible system size from 30 kW to 45 kW and shifts compensation from the retail rate to a rate set by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC).
Frankfort residents are primarily served by LG&E and KU Energy, which currently offer full retail net metering, meaning excess kWh credits are valued at the same rate you pay for electricity — giving you 100% of the value of your surplus generation.
Customers who enrolled in net metering with LG&E or KU before September 24, 2021, may be grandfathered under older credit structures. Contact your utility or visit the Kentucky PSC website for the most current rate information.
The LG&E and KU Solar Share program allows residential and business customers in Frankfort to support and benefit from local solar energy without installing panels on their own property. Customers can purchase shares of a community solar project for less than 20 cents per day and receive corresponding credits on their monthly electricity bill.
This program is ideal for renters, homeowners with shaded or unsuitable roofs, or anyone who wants to go solar without the upfront installation costs or long-term maintenance responsibilities of a private system. Shares can be secured for your home or business, and credits can even be gifted to a friend, family member, or organization of your choice.
The Solar Share program is a straightforward way to participate in renewable energy in Kentucky with minimal commitment. There are no installation requirements, no equipment to maintain, and no large upfront investment. Visit the official LG&E/KU website to check current share availability and pricing.
Kentucky’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing program, administered by Energize Kentucky (a Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance program), allows eligible commercial property owners to finance up to 100% of the cost of solar installations and other clean energy improvements with no down payment required. The financing is repaid over time as a voluntary assessment on the property’s tax bill, typically offering lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than conventional commercial loans.
C-PACE is currently available only for commercial properties in Kentucky — it is not available for single-family residential homes. Eligible property types include office, retail, industrial, agricultural, non-profits, and multi-family residential properties with five or more units. The program is available in counties that have passed enabling C-PACE legislation, including Jefferson, Bullitt, Nelson, Boone, Pendleton, and Lincoln counties, among others.
Because the repayment is tied to the property rather than the owner, C-PACE financing can transfer to a new owner if the property is sold, which can be an attractive feature for commercial real estate investors. Visit kypace.org to check county eligibility, learn about qualifying projects, and begin the application process.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Kentucky incentives.
Get a Free QuoteFrankfort Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Frankfort, KY gets around 4.5 peak sun hours daily, with warm summers boosting production. Despite cloudy winters, a well-sized solar system can still generate meaningful energy year-round.
Solar Production in Frankfort by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Frankfort
We’ve mapped solar installations across Frankfort, KY so you can see just how many of your neighbors have already made the switch. Explore the heatmap below to discover which neighborhoods and communities are leading the way toward cleaner, more affordable energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Kentucky, Palmetto offers solar leasing through its LightReach program. With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount — rather than a large upfront cost — in exchange for the solar energy your system produces. For a typical medium-sized home in Frankfort, that means a monthly payment starting around $81, with no down payment required.
Leasing has some real advantages over paying cash. When you buy a system outright, you’re responsible for maintenance, monitoring, and any repairs that come up over the years. With LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and handles all of that for you — including a 90% production guarantee and a comprehensive protection program. You simply pay your monthly lease and enjoy the savings on your utility bill.
It’s worth noting that recent federal legislation eliminated the 30% residential solar tax credit for cash purchases. Because Palmetto owns the system under a LightReach lease, we can still claim the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) — and we pass those savings directly to you through lower monthly payments. To learn more about how leasing compares to buying, visit our solar buy or lease guide.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Frankfort homeowners. With Kentucky electricity prices rising 19% since 2020, Frankfort gets around 4.5 peak sun hours daily, and a typical home could save approximately $34,000 over 25 years. Kentucky also requires net metering, so excess energy you generate earns bill credits.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease removes that barrier entirely — you can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with payments starting as low as $81/month.
Yes, Frankfort residents benefit from Kentucky’s net metering law. Kentucky requires investor-owned utilities — including LG&E and KU Energy, which serve most of Frankfort — to offer net metering to solar customers. This means when your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, the excess is sent back to the grid and you receive credits on your utility bill.
Those credits help offset the electricity you draw from the grid at night or on cloudy days, reducing your overall monthly energy costs. Frankfort homeowners enrolled with LG&E or KU currently receive credits at the full retail rate, maximizing the value of every kilowatt-hour your system generates.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Frankfort. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $250,000 home in Frankfort, that’s roughly $10,000 in added value.
This benefit applies to owned systems. If you lease through a program like LightReach, the panels belong to Palmetto — so the home value impact may differ. Either way, solar can make your Frankfort home more attractive to energy-conscious buyers.
The most affordable way to go solar in Frankfort is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting around $81/month for a typical home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
If you prefer to own your system outright, a cash purchase for an average Frankfort home runs around $20,340. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Frankfort homeowners, solar can be worth it financially — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, there’s no upfront investment required. Your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you can start saving from day one.
With Kentucky electricity rates rising 19% since 2020, locking in a predictable solar payment helps reduce your exposure to future rate increases. A typical Frankfort home could save around $34,000 over 25 years, making solar a financially sound choice for many households.
Palmetto is a top choice for solar installation in Frankfort, KY. As a national company with a strong local install network, we’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states and have real reviews from Frankfort homeowners who’ve made the switch.
We offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, a 90% production guarantee, and Palmetto handles all maintenance. For a typical Frankfort home, monthly payments start as low as $81/month.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, you pay one simple monthly payment that covers everything — the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 6.38 kW home in Frankfort, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $81/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, we claim the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and pass those savings to you through lower monthly payments — a key advantage over cash purchases, where the residential ITC is no longer available.