Kentucky solar calculator

Live production from NLR (formerly NREL) PVWatts V8. Kentucky net metering split into two regimes under SB 100 (2019, effective Jan 1, 2020): NMS-1 (enrollment on or before Sept 24, 2021) — grandfathered to ~full retail for 25 years; NMS-2 (all new 2026 connections) — dollar bill credit at the PSC-approved export rate, NOT full retail. Most KY solar coverage (Palmetto, greenenergycalc, EnergySage) still describes LG&E / KU as "full retail" — that's the outdated NMS-1 case. This calculator models the new 2026 NMS-2 case correctly. Export rates by utility: LG&E (default, Louisville metro) ~$0.069/kWh; KU (Lexington, central / eastern) ~$0.074/kWh; Duke Energy KY (Covington, northern) switched to NM II AVOIDED COST ~$0.04 in Jan 2025; Kentucky Power ~$0.09. Self-consumption offsets full retail (~$0.106/kWh — among LOWEST US rates). Residential cap 45 kW (raised from 30 by SB 100). 19 rural co-ops + 30 municipals not bound by SB 100 — verify in writing. NO state income tax credit for residential (KEDFA is commercial / industrial only). NO SREC / RPS. Sales tax (6%) NOT confirmed exempt for residential (~$1,500-1,700 added cost). Property tax NOT confirmed exempt. Federal §25D = $0 (OBBBA repeal). Duke Energy KY PowerPair pilot (up to $9,000 solar + storage) — only KY battery program, Duke KY only. Cheap install pricing (~$2.61/W EnergySage April 2026, among lowest US). Typical solar-only payback 13-15 years on LG&E / KU. Defaults: south-facing roof mount, 20° tilt, 14% losses.