Solarize Louisville
The LSC has partnered with Louisville Metro Government and the Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES) to launch the Solarize Louisville campaign to give households in Louisville/Jefferson county and seven surrounding counties the opportunity to go solar together and support the city’s 100% clean energy goals. The campaign gives households bulk-purchasing power to obtain discounted wholesale rates for solar installation from two vetted installers: Icon Solar and Pure Power Solar. Through the solar grant program, Solarize Louisville addresses systemic barriers and expands the opportunity to benefit from cleaner and more affordable energy to low- to moderate-income residents.
To date, over 150 property owners have signed contracts to install solar panels on their homes and small businesses. To learn more about investing in solar for your property, register for one of the upcoming Solarize Louisville workshops (info below) or visit solarizelouisville.com.
The 2024 partner information can be viewed here.
News Coverage: WHAS11, WDRB, WLKY, Spectrum News
Solarize Louisville 2024 Application Form:
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This program is open to applicants in the Louisville/Jefferson County and surrounding counties (see full list of counties below). Residential and small non-residential property owners (nonprofit, commercial, institutional, etc.) are welcome to apply. Non-residential properties will be included if the project is deemed feasible within this campaign.
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Kentucky: Jefferson, Oldham, Spencer, Shelby, and Bullitt counties
Indiana: Harrison, Floyd, and Clark counties
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Still have questions? Attend an upcoming workshop to learn about everything you need to know before going solar.
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A review panel consisting of Louisville Metro Government and the Kentucky Solar Energy Society worked together to select the vetted installers through a rigorous competitive process. Some factors that were considered when selecting an installer were:
•Affordability of pricing and financing options
•Quality of and longevity of the company's work history
•Quality of hardware and warranties
•Number of local jobs supported
All solar installations will remain individual contracts between the household and the solar installer. Louisville Metro Government will not assume any liability related to the installation.
Icon Solar Power, LLC, based in the Cincinnati metro area, is a turn-key installation company that provides consultation, design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy systems. Icon operates in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Founded in 2009, Icon Solar has previously been selected for Solarize programs in Ohio and Indiana.
Pure Power Solar, LLC, founded in Louisville in 2017, is a locally owned and operated solar design, installation, and service company. Specializing in residential installations, Pure Power Solar has a proven track record of delivering high quality systems with great customer satisfaction. Pure Power Solar was previously selected for Solarize Frankfort in 2023.
Why Solar?
Energy Burden: Research shows that total energy costs are deemed unaffordable at 6% of annual household income, but half the low-income households in Louisville have an energy burden greater than 7.6%, and over 12.7% for more than a quarter of them.
Racial Disparities: Communities of color in the U.S. have a 24-27% higher energy burden than white American communities.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Residential buildings account for 27.4% of Louisville’s GHG emissions, and Louisville Metro has a goal to install solar energy on 50% of homes by 2050.
Rooftop solar has the potential to reduce energy burden in communities of color while acting against climate change, but it has not yet lived up to its potential due to systemic barriers:
Lack of solar education and outreach
Financial challenges such as lower income and access to credit
Issues related to home ownership, such as lower ownership rates or roof condition
How will we focus on low-income neighborhoods and communities of color?
We have partnered with west Louisville church leaders, KY NAACP, Center for Neighborhoods, Russell: Place of Promise, Southwest Dream Team, and neighborhood associations.
Host informational and educational workshops co-hosted by west Louisville partners and (if not virtual) located in west Louisville neighborhoods, and utilize place-based marketing such as yard signs.
Partner with Office of Housing and non-profit affordable housing developers.
100% Renewable Energy by 2040
With the passage of the 100% Renewable Energy resolution in February 2020, Louisville joined hundreds of other cities across the nation making the commitment to investing in clean, renewable energy for our community with the passage of three goals:
100% clean electricity for Louisville Metro Government operations by 2030
100% clean energy for Louisville Metro Government operations by 2035
100% clean energy community-wide by 2040
Art’s Success Story
Art Hoffman
55 years ago, Art got his B.S. in Forestry and has been a staunch environmentalist ever since. He now owns an electric car and has just had 17 solar panels installed through the Solarize Louisville program.
When he contracted with Icon Solar, their estimate was that 92% of their consumption would be covered by solar power. The solar was made more affordable by Solarize Louisville's bulk buying program and the tax incentives available.
There were some initial concerns along the way, but it has been gratifying to see that those were addressed in a timely manner.
Art learned from trusted advisers, and was guided along the way. In a sense he is now “paying it forward” because he is doing the same with friends, as they consider installing panels.
Sharene’s Success Story
Sharene Camp
Sharene found out about the Solarize Louisville program on the TV news and immediately took action. She said that everything with the installation went really smoothly and that before Solarize, other solar companies turned her down and were generally not helpful. Since her house had too much shading, she had the panels mounted on both sides of her garage roof. Her first summer she noticed that her electric bill was reduced by more than half.
She went solar for environmental and cost reasons.
Sharene said, "I tend to think about the now and later... now is for me and later is for the environment and everything going on."
Flipping the solar switch has led her to buy a Chevy Bolt EV (a zero emission vehicle) which was a retirement gift to herself.
