Solar Energy in Tennessee: Facts, Statistics, Companies

Solar Energy in Tennessee

Solar Rates, Incentives, Plans & Statistics

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Going solar in Tennessee

In Tennessee, an average home needs a 10kW solar system in order cover most of their electricity needs. Given the average residential price-per-watt of $3.58 in Tennessee, a 10kW system can cost around $35,785 depending on applicable rebates and other factors.

Select your county by clicking on the map and see the potential generated solar power and panel pricing. See how it compares with the US state average.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Tennessee: $17,892US Average: $18,170
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Tennessee: 10 yearsUS Average: 11 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Tennessee: $16,202US Average: $14,954

Solar Potential in Tennessee

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Tennessee.

Roof size 858sq. ft.
Capacity 12kW DC
Electricity 14.2kkWh AC per yr.
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Compare solar panels by system size in Tennessee

Get the most value out of your roof by comparing the different benefits a given system size has.

System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,048 a year
Est. Price
$21,471
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,549 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $87
  • Full payback in 20 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.69 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 123 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,651 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,223 a year
Est. Price
$25,049
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 9,974 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $102
  • Full payback in 20 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.14 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 144 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,760 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,397 a year
Est. Price
$28,628
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 11,399 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $116
  • Full payback in 20 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.58 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 165 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,869 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,572 a year
Est. Price
$32,206
Savings from a 9kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 12,824 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $131
  • Full payback in 20 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.03 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 185 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,977 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,747 a year
Est. Price
$35,785
Savings from a 10kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 14,249 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $142
  • Full payback in 21 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.37 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 201 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,815 mi less a year

Tennessee solar incentives, tax credit, and rebates

Tennessee has 2 rebates and tax credits that you may be eligable for. Visit the official links for more details to see if you apply.

Solar incentives in TN

Sales Tax Credit for Clean Energy Technology

Value:Varies

New devices used in the generation, storage, or distribution of "green energy" in Tennessee may be eligible for state sales/use tax exemptions. Qualifying equipment should use solar, wind, geothermal, or hydrogen fuel cell technology and be installed in a Department of Environment-certified facility. To claim the exemption, the installing contractor should submit application paperwork to the Department of Revenue at the time of purchase. The buyer must then fill out a corresponding form. Approved exemptions will be paid as a refund to the contractor.

Pathway Energy Efficiency Loan Program

Value:Varies

Tennessee's Energy Efficiency Loan Program (EELP) is operated by Pathway Lending, a private non-profit operating in multiple states. Through the program, small businesses, local nonprofits, and local governments may obtain special financing for new renewable energy investments and energy efficiency improvements. Repayment plans last up to six years and are typically based on energy savings at below-market interest. To apply, an organization must submit successful proposals and complete an energy audit. Additional information is available from the Pathway Lending website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.
  • Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $3.58 in Tennessee. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $35,785 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.
  • Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.
  • To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.
  • Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 26 verified solar install companies in Tennessee

Solar installers in Tennessee (26)

Foster Electric

Chattanooga, TN(423) 892-6759

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

SunPro Solar

Mandeville, LA(866) 599-3643

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Power Home Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Dividend Finance

San Francisco, CA(415) 805-7000

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(340) 227-7785

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Hannah Solar

Atlanta, GA(404) 736-7244

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Tungsten Electric

Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government, TN(615) 491-0206

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

City Electric Supply

Dallas, TX(866) 634-9853

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

PowerHome Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Solar Plus

Atlanta, GA(470) 378-1182

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
Fernando García
Last Reviewed By: Fernando García
Published: 2024-04-01