Top 5 Best Solar Companies in Kentucky (2023 Reviews)

In this guide to Kentucky’s best solar companies, you’ll learn

  • What are the best solar companies in Kentucky?
  • How can you save money going solar in Kentucky?
  • Can solar panels increase your home value in Kentucky?
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Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

What Are Kentucky’s Top 5 Solar Energy Companies?

While renewable energy has been slow to grow in Kentucky, the number of residential solar installations has more than doubled between 2020 and 2021, keeping local solar companies fairly busy. But, why are so many homes going solar?1

For one, solar is much more affordable in Kentucky compared to other states. And because Kentucky households have higher electric bills than average, many homeowners are discovering it’s well worth it to install a solar system.2 A solar panel installation can save a Kentucky household upwards of $20,000 in energy savings after you pay off your panels. And with electricity rates on the rise, those savings are only expected to increase.

With over a dozen solar panel companies in Kentucky to choose from, how do you decide who to hire? The EcoWatch Reviews team has analyzed local solar contractors and determined that the best solar installers are:

Read on to learn more about why these top five companies are the highest rated solar installers in Kentucky.

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SunPower

Best National Provider

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Read full review now

Pros

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
Badge icon

Solar Energy Solutions

Solar Veteran

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Comprehensive service offerings
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • No leases or PPAs
Badge icon

Blue Raven Solar

Best Solar Financing

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Read full review now

Pros

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation

Cons

  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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Solar Is Freedom

Outstanding Regional Installer

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Many years of experience

Cons

  • Limited warranty coverage
  • Relatively young company
  • Slightly limited service offerings
Badge icon

Icon Solar

Solar Veteran

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many years of experience
  • Comprehensive service offerings
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • No leases or PPAs

Watch Below: Learn What To Know Before Going Solar in Kentucky

How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Kentucky

The average solar customer in Kentucky pays around $25,740 for an 11 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system, or $18,018 after the federal tax credit is taken into consideration.

The total solar installation cost in Kentucky tends to be higher than the U.S. average ($23,940), but that’s because energy needs are higher in Kentucky than average. While the average American only needs a 9 kW system to offset their electricity, the average Kentucky residents needs an 11 kW system.

If you have lower energy needs, you can get away with installing a much smaller, cheaper system. Solar is priced on a per watt basis, and in Kentucky that cost is $2.34 per watt — much lower than the national average of $2.66 per watt.

There are plenty of ways you can save money going solar in Kentucky, including:

  • Only installing as many panels as you need
  • Taking advantage of local and federal solar incentives
  • Putting as much money down as you can

Only Install As Many Panels As You Need

The average Kentucky homeowner needs to install an 11 kW solar system — about 32 panels — to offset their monthly energy consumption of 1,084 kilowatt-hours (kWh).2 But you may not be on par with average.

Before you install solar panels, it’s important to check your electric bill to figure out your monthly energy consumption. For example, if your household uses 800 kWh of energy per month, you’ll only need an 8 kW system (about 23 panels), which costs $18,720 in Kentucky, or $13,104 after the federal tax credit is applied.

Size of Your Solar Power System Total System Price Before Any Rebates or Credits Total System Price After Federal Tax Credit
8 kW $18,720 $13,104
9 kW $21,060 $14,742
10 kW $23,400 $16,380
11 kW $25,740 $18,018
12 kW $28,080 $19,656
13 kW $30,420 $21,294
14 kW $32,760 $22,932

Take Advantage of Local and Federal Solar Incentives

We’ll be honest: Kentucky doesn’t have as many solar incentives compared to some other states. But there are still some programs to capitalize on.

The federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is the best financial incentive available to Kentucky homeowners. It’s a tax credit worth 30% of your total solar system cost, which in Kentucky comes out to about $7,722.

To be clear, this isn’t a rebate — it’s a reduction to the federal taxes you owe and rolls over for up to five years. But most people in Kentucky take around 13 years to pay off their system, so the $7,722 discount will surely help.

Put As Much Money Down As You Can

Solar panel systems cost between $18,000 and $33,000 on average in Kentucky — that’s not cheap. We understand if you don’t have that kind of cash lying around ready to invest in solar panels.

Paying with a solar loan is a popular and more accessible option. However, the more you pay upfront, the more money you’ll save on going solar in the long run.

As you can see in the chart above, paying in cash allows you to save thousands of dollars that would otherwise cover the interest over the lifetime of a solar loan. Plus, you to begin saving money right away with your solar production rather than waiting for your monthly energy savings to cover your loan payments.

See Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Kentucky?

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that solar panels can increase the value of your home. According to SunPower, installing solar in Kentucky can add up to $12,000 to your home’s resale value.3

Data from Zillow also backs this up. In a study, the real estate entity found that solar panels boost home value by 4.1% on average.4

Unfortunately the state of Kentucky does not offer a property tax exemption for solar homeowners, which means that your property taxes could increase alongside your home value increase.

Should Kentucky Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

solar panels installed near vent outlet

In the world of HGTV and YouTube, many of us like to tackle our own home improvement projects. But we wouldn’t suggest it when it comes to installing your own solar panels.

Here are the top reasons why DIY solar installation is a risky idea:

  • Installing solar is a complex process
  • You lose crucial warranty protection
  • The savings likely don’t outweigh the workload

Installing Solar is a Complex Process

Solar installations are a lot more complicated than just nailing a solar panel onto a roof. Along with the panels, you have the mounting hardware, cables and inverters (also called charge controllers) that must be set up properly. One wrong move will not only inhibit your solar panels ability to generate electricity, but could also be extremely damging to your roof or home.

If you’re installing your own panels, you’re also the sole person in charge of securing the necessary permits, setting up interconnection and net metering with your utility company and seeking out solar incentives. If you hire a solar company, it will will take care of this for you.

You Lose Crucial Warranty Protection

If you buy solar panels for your home instead of hiring a solar panel company, there’s a chance the equipment you purchase will be covered under the product manufacturer’s warranty. But most solar manufacturers have a warranty clause that the panels must be installed by a professional solar technician. So if you’re installing them yourself, you’ll be out of luck here (unless you’re a solar technician).

Some solar panel brands may also offer a performance warranty, which typically guarantees 90% of solar electric production for 10 years and 80% at 25 years. And as we mentioned, workmanship and roof leak warranties are crucial in Kentucky to protect your payout in the event of a roof leak.

The Savings Likely Don’t Outweigh The Workload

The number one reason people try to DIY a solar panel installation is to save on installation labor costs. Well, let’s figure out how much labor costs to install solar panels in Kentucky.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, labor typically accounts for at least 10% of the total cost of solar installation.5 In Kentucky where the average installation costs $25,740, you stand to save about $2,574

That’s a pretty tempting savings. But, remember that the electricity savings potential from having professionally installed and designed panels in Kentucky is upwards of $20,000.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you want to install your own panels or hire professionals. But we definitely recommend the latter.

What Should Kentucky Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

solar panels installed on a modern house

Kentucky has over a dozen solar installers to choose from. While most people focus on finding the best price, there are other factors you should consider when looking for a solar company to hire in Kentucky.

When looking for a solar installer in Kentucky, you should hire a company that has:

  • A roof leak guarantee or strong workmanship warranty
  • High efficiency solar panels
  • Licensed electrician certificate

A Roof Leak Guarantee or Strong Workmanship Warranty

One of the most important considerations for Kentucky homeowners wanting to install solar is a roof leak guarantee. Kentucky is the twelfth rainiest state, and unfortunately, roof leaks can become an issue when installing solar.

On this list of best solar companies in Kentucky, Icon Solar is the only company that has a specific roof leak warranty, regardless of your roofing material.

We encourage you to ask your solar installer about coverage in the event of a roof leak. If they offer any kind of roof leak protection, make sure it’s included in your contract.

If they don’t have roof leak protection, make sure they have a strong workmanship warranty. Roof leaks are often the result of faulty solar installation and workmanship warranties cover improper installations.

High-Efficiency Solar Panels

Because Kentucky sees above-average rainfall and below-average sunshine, it’s beneficial to install high-efficiency solar panels. The higher the efficiency of the panel, the more energy they’re going to produce in shorter periods of time.

If you’re new to solar, think of it this way: one hour of sunlight with a high-efficiency panel may produce as much energy as three hours of sun as a panel with a lower efficiency.

The best solar panels on the market have an output of around 330 watts (W) to 360 W each, while the output of less-efficient panels can be as low as 250 W.

Licensed Electrician Certificate

In Kentucky, a licensed electrician must be involved with the solar installation process.6 Your solar installation company should have a licensed electrician on staff, otherwise, you risk hiccups with permitting for your installation.

Methodology: How We Ranked Kentucky’s Solar Companies

When we rank our top solar companies, we start by identifying the factors that matter most when ensuring that our readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation. We’ve listed those factors as categories below. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark (a company meeting the industry standard in all categories would earn 4 stars in our rating system).

Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to Kentucky homes.

  • Solar Services (20%): Every solar company installs panels, but we add additional points for companies like Solar Energy Solutions, SunPower and Icon Solar who offer additional services like energy storage and EV chargers.
  • Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%): Solar contractors that have affiliations with renewable energy organizations usually rank higher because it’s a good sign that they are invested in the industry and aren’t in existence just to turn a profit. Some affiliations we look for are with the Kentucky Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and the KY Conservation Committee.
  • Solar Warranty & Customer Support (15%): Warranties provide peace of mind that your investment is protected for years to come. Production and roof leak guarantees are especially important in Kentucky because of the abundance of rain throughout the state, so we award higher scores for those offerings. But a warranty is only as good as the company’s customer service — if no one answers the phone for your claim, you may not get it covered.
  • Solar Financing Options (15%): The cost of going solar in Kentucky is prohibitively expensive for many homeowners to pay in cash. Therefore, each solar panel company’s financing options are carefully considered to determine how likely it is to suit your budget.
  • Experience (10%): With so many solar companies popping up, we give higher rank to those who have a bit more longevity in Kentucky.
  • Availability (10%): Kentucky is a decent-sized state with many rural areas. As such, we award companies that serve more areas of Kentucky.
  • Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%): While going solar is great for money-saving benefits, we prioritize people and the planet alongside your profit. As such, we take each company’s ecological and ethical standards into account when ranking our top providers.

EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Kentucky

The EcoWatch team gets many questions about the process and price of going solar in Kentucky. Below are some of the questions we see most often, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.

Blog author image
Article author
Kristina Zagame is a journalist, editor and content writer with expertise in solar and other energy-related topics. Before joining EcoWatch, Kristina was a TV news reporter and producer, covering a wide variety of topics including West Coast wildfires and hurricane relief efforts. Kristina’s reporting has taken her all over the U.S., as well as to Puerto Rico and Chile.
Reviewer image
Expert reviewer
Karsten is an editor and energy specialist focused on environmental, social and cultural development. His work has been shared by sources including NPR, the World Economic Forum, Marketwatch and the SEIA, and he is certified in ESG with the CFA Institute. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the solar energy sector, studying energy policy, climate tech and environmental education. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace.

Comparing authorized solar partners

EcoWatch rating
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
  • 5.0
    • Most efficient panels on the market
    • National coverage
    • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
    • Great warranty coverage
    • Expensive
    • Customer service varies by local dealer
    A+
    Best National Provider
    1985
    SunPower Panels
    25-year all-inclusive warranty

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