Skip to main content

Tennessee

Tennessee offers net metering and property tax exemption for solar installations.

Compare
TN context
Avg residential price: 13.1¢/kWh (2026-01)Emissions: 0.32 kgCO₂/kWh (eGRID)
Energy Freedom Report Card
F34/100
Solar Policy
40
Incentives
25
Rate Environment
50
Battery & Storage
20
EV & Electrification
25
Net metering: UnknownCommunity solar: Unknown
Start with your bill
Pull 12 months of kWh usage and total spend. That is the fastest path to realistic solar + storage sizing.
Check interconnection timelines
Ask your installer how long interconnection typically takes in your utility territory and what documents are required.

Use Tennessee in Our Tools

Get personalized calculations with Tennessee's rates and incentives


title: Solar & Energy in Tennessee state: Tennessee overview: "Tennessee offers net metering and property tax exemption for solar installations." tags: ["Net metering", "TVA", "Property tax exemption"] summary: State-specific policies, incentives, and renewable energy information for Tennessee.

Solar & Energy in Tennessee

Tennessee supports solar through net metering and TVA programs.

Key Programs

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

  • 30% federal tax credit through 2032

Net Metering

  • Available from most utilities
  • Policies vary by provider
  • Check with your utility

TVA Programs (for TVA service areas)

  • Green Power Providers program
  • Distributed solar programs
  • Check with local power company

Property Tax Exemption

  • Solar equipment may be exempt
  • Check local assessment rules

Getting Started in Tennessee

  1. Determine if you're in TVA territory
  2. Review applicable net metering policy
  3. Calculate your solar savings
  4. Compare installer quotes

Learn more at Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation or try our Cost Estimator.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee

Does Tennessee have net metering?
Net metering availability in Tennessee varies by utility. Contact your local utility for current policies and export compensation rates.
Is community solar available in Tennessee?
Community solar options in Tennessee are currently limited or not widely available. Check EnergySage or your utility's website for any new programs.
What solar incentives are available in Tennessee?
In addition to the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Tennessee offers: Federal clean energy credit (demo). Incentive details change frequently — use our Incentive Finder tool for the latest information and verify with official sources.
What's the average electricity rate in Tennessee?
Demo only: electricity pricing varies by provider, plan, time-of-use, and fees. Replace with real rate data later. For accurate, up-to-date pricing, check your most recent utility bill or use our Bill Decoder tool. Higher rates generally mean faster solar payback periods.
How long does solar installation take in Tennessee?
The physical installation typically takes 1-3 days for a residential system. However, the full process — from signing a contract to having your system producing power — usually takes 2-4 months in Tennessee. This includes site assessment, permitting, installation, inspection, and utility interconnection approval. Timelines vary by contractor and local jurisdiction.

Major Metro Areas

Explore solar conditions and costs for specific cities in Tennessee.

Related

Was this helpful?

Your Energy Digest

Get a personalized weekly email with policy changes, savings tips, and tool recommendations for your state.

I'm interested in

Weekly emails. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam.