Solar power in Tennessee
There is room for improvement when it comes to solar power in Tennessee. There is very little in the way of state-based or utility-based incentives for installing solar. Also, there is no renewable portfolio standard, which is often what pushes utilities to create rebates for customers.
The bright side is that Tennessee receives more sunlight than many other areas of the US, so a solar system here will produce more than a system would with less sunlight. Tennessee residents can also take advantage of the 26% federal tax credit.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Tennessee
Tennessee solar power facts
$2.68 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?7 Years 11 Months
Average payback time
$59,687
Average lifetime savings
?5¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
24¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?14,545 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 11.35kW system
This 11.35kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Tennessee is $160, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
3
Solar companies in Tennessee that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Tennessee
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Tennessee
| System Size | Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,438 | $6,953 |
| 4kw | $8,258 | $8,919 |
| 5kw | $9,916 | $10,709 |
| 6kw | $11,366 | $12,276 |
| 7kw | $12,691 | $13,706 |
| 8kw | $13,853 | $14,961 |
| 9kw | $14,852 | $16,040 |
| 10kw | $15,688 | $16,943 |
How much do solar panels cost in Tennessee?
$2.68 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.08 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Tennessee?
The advantage of installing solar panels in Tennessee is the state’s abundant sunshine, so a solar system here will produce more electricity than in other parts of the country.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the US.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Tennessee is that there are almost no state or utility-based incentives. Also, there is no state-mandated net metering policy, so you are not guaranteed to be compensated if your solar system produces excess energy.
However, the federal tax credit still creates the opportunity for great savings.
Best solar companies in Tennessee
Find local city information
Find local information for cities in Tennessee
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Tennessee
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so while solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Tennessee
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Nashville area solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,449kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits, and other solar incentives are available in Tennessee?
Green Energy Property Tax Assessment
Tennessee homeowners have the opportunity to save on their property taxes when they install a solar system on their home, thanks to the Green Energy Property Tax Assessment legislation. Typically, when a solar system is installed on a home, the value of the home increases and so do the property taxes. With this statewide policy, the property taxes can only increase up to 12.5% of the installed costs associated with the solar system.
Tennessee Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Tennessee, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Tennessee using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Tennessee
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Tennessee or Nashville ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Tennessee solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Tennessee
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Tennessee can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Green Energy Property Tax Assessment | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| TVA - Green Power Providers | Utility | Performance Based Incentive |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
