Federal solar credit ended Dec 31, 2025
Sorted & Saved

Net metering · Tennessee

Tennessee Net Metering and Solar Export Credits

Fact-checked by Sorted & Saved data desk
Updated Data verified Nov 5, 2026

Set by each utility or retail provider. Tennessee has no statewide net metering rule; nearly all customers are served by TVA-powered local power companies. Under TVA's Dispersed Power Production (DPP) program, customers with qualifying facilities can use their own power and sell extra generation to TVA at TVA's avoided cost (well below retail), after signing an interconnection agreement with their local power company.

On this page [ 5 ]

What TVA pays for exported solar

For a new rooftop system, TVA credits exported energy at about 3.07¢ per kWh[1], against an average Tennessee residential price of 13.80¢[2]. Every kWh you send to the grid earns this rate; power you draw is billed at retail.

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

State rules that apply

  • What the rule says: “either use its power for itself and sell any extra power to TVA at TVA's avoided costs or sell all of its power to TVA at TVA's avoided costs”[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 Tennessee.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee have net metering?

Tennessee has no statewide net metering rule; nearly all customers are served by TVA-powered local power companies. Under TVA's Dispersed Power Production (DPP) program, customers with qualifying facilities can use their own power and sell extra generation to TVA at TVA's avoided cost (well below retail), after signing an interconnection agreement with their local power company.

sources

[ 3 ]

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

  1. TVA EnergyRight - July 2026 Dispersed Power Production (DPP) Guidelines, Attachment A price scheduleenergyright.com · 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. TVA Programs Overview (Jan 2024), TDEC Solar for All stakeholder meeting archivetn.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026

Tariffs last re-checked November 5, 2026.

Change log

  1. Monthly output per kW in Nashville updated to [75.7, 84.4, 111.9, 122.9, 140.5, 132.3, 137.5, 132.7, 123.0, 109.0, 90.0, 78.7] 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 Nashville updated to 4.82 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 Tennessee (PVWatts, Nashville) updated to 1338.5 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).