Louisville, KY Solar Panels
Solar Power in Louisville
Thinking about solar energy for your Louisville home? With Kentucky electricity prices climbing 19% from 2020 to 2024, more homeowners are turning to solar panels for home use to offset rising energy costs.
This guide walks you through the essentials of solar installation in Louisville—from understanding local incentives to choosing the right system for your property.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Louisville, KY?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Louisville homes—including St. Matthews, Jeffersontown, and Highlands—to show what solar actually costs in your neighborhood. Get accurate estimates based on firsthand information from local installations, not national averages.
System
Cost
Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Louisville electricity rates have increased 13% since 2021, making solar panels an increasingly valuable investment for long-term energy cost stability.
- A typical Louisville solar system costs around $20,340 and can save homeowners approximately $35,000 over 25 years through reduced electricity bills.
- Duke Energy customers can receive up to $9,000 in incentives through the PowerPair program when installing solar panels with battery storage.
Louisville Electricity Prices
Understanding Louisville’s electricity costs helps you make informed decisions about your home’s energy future and long-term budget planning.
Kentucky electricity rates have climbed from 11.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 13.0 cents per kWh in 2024—a 13% increase in just three years that directly impacts your monthly utility bills.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, helping Louisville homeowners stabilize their energy expenses. Once installed, your system produces power without the price fluctuations that affect traditional utility rates.
Over 25 years, solar systems can significantly reduce your exposure to rate increases while providing predictable energy costs. This long-term stability becomes increasingly valuable as traditional electricity prices continue their upward trend.
Price of Energy: Kentucky vs National Average
Louisville Area Utility Providers
Louisville residents benefit from electricity rates below both state and national averages. According to 2023 data, Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E) charges 12.4¢ per kWh, while Kentucky Utilities (KU) charges 12.0¢ per kWh.
These rates remain competitive largely due to Kentucky’s reliance on coal-fired generation and relatively low transmission costs. Both utilities operate below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh and close to Kentucky’s state average of 12.70¢ per kWh.
While current rates are favorable, electricity costs have risen steadily in recent years. Solar installation helps Louisville homeowners lock in predictable energy costs while reducing dependence on traditional utility rates that fluctuate with fuel prices and infrastructure investments.
Louisville Utilities Electricity Rates
Kentucky Solar Incentives
Going solar in Louisville comes with financial support. Several solar incentives in Kentucky can help reduce your upfront investment and ongoing energy costs.
Louisville-area homeowners have access to utility-specific programs and net metering options. Duke Energy offers direct incentives for solar and battery installations, while LG&E, KU, and Kentucky Power provide net metering programs that credit you for excess energy production.
These programs change periodically, so it’s worth researching current offerings soon. Understanding what’s available now helps you make informed decisions about your solar investment.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy: PowerPair Solar + Battery Incentive | Utility program | New pilot for Duke Energy Customers offering $3,600 for solar plus $5,400 for battery storage. Combined maximum $9,000. | Learn More |
Duke Energy’s PowerPair program offers Kentucky homeowners a one-time incentive of up to $9,000 to help cover the cost of installing a solar panel system paired with battery storage. This pilot program is designed to make home solar plus battery systems more affordable while helping Duke Energy manage the electric grid more effectively. The exact incentive amount depends on the type of solar array and battery system you install.
To participate, you must use a Duke Energy Trade Ally installer—a company approved by Duke Energy to work on this program. You can find approved installers through Duke Energy’s Find It Duke program. The program uses a random selection process to ensure fair access, with application windows opening periodically (the initial window was four weeks long starting in May). Not all solar and battery systems qualify, so you’ll need to check Duke Energy’s approved equipment list before purchasing.
If you enroll through the Net Metering Bridge option, you’ll be required to participate in Duke Energy’s Power Manager or EnergyWise Home Battery Control program. This means Duke Energy can temporarily draw power from your battery to support the grid 30-36 times per year, and you’ll receive monthly bill credits in return. You can opt out of up to four events per year and still receive credits. Your battery system will need internet connectivity to participate in these demand response programs.
Unfortunately, there is currently no detailed information available about Kentucky Power’s net metering program. Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credit for excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. When your solar system produces more energy than your home uses, the surplus flows to the utility grid, and your electric meter runs backward, crediting your account.
If you’re a Kentucky Power customer interested in solar, we recommend contacting Kentucky Power directly to confirm their current net metering policies, including credit rates, system size limits, and enrollment requirements. Net metering policies can vary significantly between utility companies, so understanding your specific utility’s program details is an important step in evaluating the financial benefits of going solar in your area.
Unfortunately, no specific information is currently available about the Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) Net Metering program. Net metering is typically a billing arrangement that allows solar system owners to receive credit for excess electricity their panels generate and send back to the grid. When your solar panels produce more energy than your home uses, the surplus flows to the utility grid, and your electric meter runs backward, crediting your account.
Under most net metering programs, these credits offset the electricity you draw from the grid when your panels aren’t producing enough power, such as at night or on cloudy days. The specific terms, credit rates, and eligibility requirements for LG&E and KU customers would be determined by the utilities and Kentucky state regulations. We recommend contacting LG&E or KU directly to learn about current net metering availability, how credits are calculated, any system size limitations, and the application process for connecting your solar system to their grid.
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 QuoteLouisville 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.
Louisville’s mix of sunny summers and cloudy winters creates distinct seasonal solar patterns. Despite moderate cloud cover, well-designed systems consistently produce strong energy yields year-round here.
Solar Production in Louisville 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 Louisville
We’ve mapped every solar installation across Louisville to help you discover which neighborhoods are embracing clean energy. Explore this interactive map to see how many of your neighbors have already made the switch to solar power!
Leasing Solar Panels
Currently, Palmetto does not offer solar leasing or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Louisville, KY. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options for making solar more accessible.
If upfront costs are a concern, we recommend exploring solar financing options that can help you own your system from day one. With solar loans, you can start saving on electricity bills immediately while building equity in your home through system ownership.
Want to learn more about making solar work for your budget? Check out LightReach, our innovative solar program that makes clean energy accessible without traditional barriers. Our solar advisors can help you find the financing solution that fits your situation best.
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 in Louisville. With electricity rates climbing 13% since 2021 and Kentucky averaging 4.8 peak sun hours daily, solar panels offer solid energy production year-round.
A typical Louisville system costs around $20,340 and can save approximately $35,000 over 25 years. Duke Energy customers can receive up to $9,000 in PowerPair incentives when adding battery storage, making solar increasingly accessible for local homeowners.
Yes, Louisville residents have access to net metering through their utility providers. Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E), Kentucky Utilities (KU), Kentucky Power, and Duke Energy all offer net metering programs that credit you for excess solar energy sent back to the grid.
When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, the surplus flows to the utility grid and your meter runs backward, crediting your account. These credits offset electricity you draw from the grid when your panels aren’t producing enough power, such as at night or on cloudy days.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Louisville. Research shows that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
For a median-priced Louisville home, this translates to thousands of dollars in added value. Beyond the immediate financial boost, solar panels also make your property more attractive to buyers looking for lower energy costs and sustainable features.
Solar panel costs in Louisville depend on your home size and energy needs. A typical medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) needs a 6.38 kW system costing around $20,340, or about $3.19 per watt.
Smaller homes may need a 5.10 kW system ($16,744), while larger homes could require 9.13 kW ($28,075). Duke Energy customers can receive up to $9,000 through the PowerPair program when adding battery storage.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Louisville. A typical 6.38 kW system costs around $20,340 and saves approximately $35,000 over 25 years, with an average payback period of 16.6 years.
With electricity rates rising 13% since 2021 and Duke Energy offering up to $9,000 in PowerPair incentives for battery storage, solar provides long-term protection against utility rate increases while building home equity through system ownership.
At Palmetto Solar, we’re proud to serve Louisville homeowners with quality solar installations backed by our national expertise and local focus. We operate across the country with a trusted network of professional installers who understand Kentucky’s unique solar landscape.
We offer some of the industry’s best financing options to make solar accessible, and our team guides you through every step—from design to installation to ongoing support. Our goal is to make your transition to clean energy straightforward and rewarding.