Federal solar credit ended Dec 31, 2025
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Net metering · Kentucky

Kentucky Net Metering and Solar Export Credits

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Updated Data verified Nov 5, 2026

Net billing (exports credited below retail). Net metering under KRS 278.465-278.468 is offered by PSC-regulated utilities (not TVA or municipal utilities). Since the 2019 Net Metering Act (SB 100), excess generation for new customers after January 1, 2020 is compensated with a dollar-denominated bill credit at a utility-specific rate set by the PSC, while earlier customers keep 1:1 kWh credits for 25 years.

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What Kentucky Utilities pays for exported solar

For a new rooftop system, Kentucky Utilities credits exported energy at about 7.53¢ per kWh[1], against an average Kentucky residential price of 14.20¢[2]. Every kWh you send to the grid earns this rate; power you draw is billed at retail.

Other Kentucky utilities, co-ops and municipal utilities set their own rates; check your utility's current tariff.

State rules that apply

  • What the rule says: “the compensation for production in excess of usage over a billing period, after January 1, 2020, "shall be in the form of a dollar-denominated bill credit."”[3]

What it means for sizing and batteries

When exports earn much less than retail, each kWh you use at home as it is produced is worth more than one you export. Size to your daytime and evening use, shift loads (laundry, dishwasher, EV charging) to sunny hours or the plan's off-peak window, and price a battery against the gap between the retail and export rates.

The calculator uses the statewide rule until we add utility rates. See what solar costs in Kentucky.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does Kentucky have net metering?

Net metering under KRS 278.465-278.468 is offered by PSC-regulated utilities (not TVA or municipal utilities). Since the 2019 Net Metering Act (SB 100), excess generation for new customers after January 1, 2020 is compensated with a dollar-denominated bill credit at a utility-specific rate set by the PSC, while earlier customers keep 1:1 kWh credits for 25 years.

sources

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Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.

  1. Kentucky PSC Order (nunc pro tunc), Case No. 2025-00113, Kentucky Utilities Company rate case (Mar 4, 2026)psc.ky.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
  2. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B: Average price of electricity by state, year-to-date (August 2026, preliminary)eia.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
  3. Kentucky PSC Order, Case No. 2019-00256 (Dec 18, 2019)psc.ky.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026

Tariffs last re-checked November 5, 2026.

Change log

  1. Monthly output per kW in Louisville updated to [77.5, 84.2, 103.6, 122.7, 140.6, 141.4, 139.9, 142.7, 120.7, 113.5, 83.1, 73.6] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  2. Average solar radiation on the panels in Louisville updated to 4.79 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  3. Solar output per kW in Kentucky (PVWatts, Louisville) updated to 1343.5 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).