The Natural State is perfect for solar power generation

The state of solar in Arkansas

The state of Arkansas enjoys a warm subtropical climate and an average of 218 sunny days per year.^*Current Results. Days of Sunshine Per Year in Arkansas (Accessed August 14, 2021) https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Arkansas/annual-days-of-sunshine.php According to Google’s Project Sunroof, 80% of buildings in the state are solar-viable, amounting to 634 million square feet of roof space and 11.4 million MWh AC per year.^*Google Project Sunroof. Arkansas. (Accessed Aug. 14, 2021) https://sunroof.withgoogle.com/data-explorer/place/ChIJYSc_dD-e0ocR0NLf_z5pBaQ/

How much solar energy does Arkansas produce?

In 2020, solar energy accounted for 6% of the renewable electricity production in Arkansas. The southern state’s solar capacity currently equals 581 MW.^*Magnolia Reporter, Entergy Arkansas wants to bring 300 megawatts of solar/wind power online by 2026 (June 27, 2021). http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/local_business/article_c6e46050-d482-11eb-b70a-93984836adee.html While these are modest numbers, the solar energy production in Arkansas is 60 times higher today than it was in 2015, a promising trend for the future of clean energy in the state.

What are the advantages of going solar in Arkansas?

The average solar system should return its costs within 14 years. Over the course of 20 years from the PV system installation, the property owner can save over $12,000.^*Energy Sage. Arkansas. (Accessed Aug. 14, 2021) https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/ar/#

Solar panels for home use are a long-term investment that offers homeowners several advantages, including an immediate drop in electricity bills, significant long-term savings, and increased property value.

Although the electricity rates in Arkansas are comparatively affordable right now, $89.52 per month for the average household,^*5NEWS (KFSM). Arkansas Ranked In Top 10 States With Most Affordable Utilities (Dec. 8, 2018). https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/outreach/back-to-school/arkansas-ranks-in-top-10-states-with-most-affordable-utilities/527-41df01aa-356f-43fc-8b66-b053f6b53671 major electricity providers in the state plan to raise their rates starting in June 2022.^*5NEWS (KFSM). Arkansas Ranked In Top 10 States With Most Affordable Utilities (Dec. 8, 2018). https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/outreach/back-to-school/arkansas-ranks-in-top-10-states-with-most-affordable-utilities/527-41df01aa-356f-43fc-8b66-b053f6b53671 With the prospect of increased electricity costs, going solar in Arkansas looks even more attractive.

Finally, a solar system with storage capacity may prove invaluable during an extreme weather event like the storms of Easter 2020, which left over 100,000 Arkansans without power.^*FOX16. Arkansas has the most power outages in the country due to Easter storms, with 21k+ without power (Apr 17, 2020) https://www.fox16.com/news/local-news/storms-knock-out-power-across-arkansas-for-more-than-114k-customers/

How much does solar cost in Arkansas?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Roof type, angle, and condition

• License cost

• Quality of the solar panels

• Any required structural adjustments

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Arkansas, we found that the average cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,950 to $13,800, or in other words from $2.59 to $2.76 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Over the past decade, average solar panel costs have fallen by 70%. Thanks to this trend, solar systems have become a lot more affordable. In 2010, a PV system could easily cost $40,000, a forbidding price for most homeowners.^*SEIA, 2021 Q1 https://www.seia.org/solar-industry-research-data Today, a home solar system is a financially viable option with a much shorter ROI period.

Arkansas homeowners can recoup some of their solar system installation costs by taking advantage of the federal 30% tax credit.^*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

Additionally, in Arkansas, the state mandates that electricity providers, like Entergy Arkansas, LLC, provide net metering programs to eligible customers.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. Net metering allows utility companies to buy back (usually through credits to your electric bill) any surplus power that your system creates and sends to the grid.

Unfortunately, at this time, the state of Arkansas has no Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), solar power rebates, state energy tax credits, local property tax exemptions, or sales tax exemptions for energy.

What’s the best way to go solar in Arkansas?

A solar system can help you cut down on energy bills, generate long-term savings, and boost your property’s value.

To make sure your home PV system performs optimally and serves you over many years with minimum repair costs, choose an experienced, reputable solar provider. It’s good to speak with several solar providers to compare their warranties, financing options and current offers.

A dependable solar company should accommodate your priorities, whether it’s generating extra power to store onsite or sell back to your electric utility, or reducing upfront costs by installing a limited number of high-efficiency panels.

Get started now by requesting your consultation with SunPower below. We'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.