Plug-In Solar in Tennessee
Tennessee has no plug-in solar law; nearly all homes receive TVA power from a local utility, and that utility's own interconnection rules cover grid-tied solar.
- No plug-in solar law in Tennessee yetNo bill yet
- Utility rules apply here.No cap on plug-in wattage.
- 13.8 centsPer kWh, the EIA average home price, Jan to Aug 2026.
- Each year, $149.In Nashville, an 800 W kit, before any utility solar fee.
Before connecting in Tennessee, get approval from your electric utility first. Use an inverter listed for UL 1741 with anti-islanding, or for UL 3700.
Tennessee's Rule Right Now
Hooking up: solar for a home goes through TVA's Green Connect, a program TVA runs with your local power company (LPC). The LPC's interconnection requirements must be met, its interconnection agreement signed, and any study costs paid; a Green Connect network (QCN) installer has to do the work.
Net metering: TVA buys the power you export under its Dispersed Power Production program. That exported power is metered and accounted for apart from what the local utility sells you.
Tennessee Savings from a Kit
PVWatts gives annual production of 1,353 kWh for every 1 kW of panels in Nashville. Tennessee homes pay 13.8 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. For an 800 W kit, by panel placement:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,083 | $149 |
| Upright on a railing | 682 | $94 |
| Facing east or west | 866 | $120 |
Nashville, Month by Month
- Jan66
- Feb72
- Mar91
- Apr97
- May107
- Jun100
- Jul105
- Aug104
- Sep100
- Oct92
- Nov79
- Dec70
kWh from an 800 W kit with south-facing tilt.
Kit Prices for Tennessee
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,597 | $220 | 4.1 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 487 | $67 | 6.2 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,083 | $149 | 7.4 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, with all power used at home. Compare all kits
Tennessee Facts Worth Knowing
- In Tennessee's electric service territory, TVA, a federal corporation, supplies power through 153 local power companies, covering about 99.7% of it. The state utility commission regulates only Appalachian Power.
- The average Tennessee home paid 12.42 cents/kWh for power in 2024, which is fairly cheap.
- Only one statewide law in Tennessee targets solar, and it applies to large solar farms being taken down, not home or plug-in systems.
- Green Connect requires a member of TVA's Quality Contractor Network to do the work. A kit you plug in yourself doesn't qualify for the program.
Do You Rent or Use a Balcony?
Your landlord or HOA makes the call on the mount. Your electric utility decides on the hookup. Take a look at balcony solar and solar for apartments.
Key Utilities
- City of Memphis - (TN)
- Nashville Electric Service
- Middle Tennessee E M C
- Knoxville Utilities Board
Your Tennessee Next Steps
- Choose a size. In Nashville, a kit of 400 W generates about 541 kWh each year, while one of 1,200 W generates about 1,624 kWh. Run yours.
- Other states have passed plug-in bills, so ask your state lawmakers about one.
Sources
- Solar Energy, Tennessee State Energy Office (TDEC)
- TVA Dispersed Power Production / Green Connect portal
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, Tennessee 2024
- Sources: NREL PVWatts, Nashville, EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
Compare all states at a glance, or check a neighbor: Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia.