Upper Cumberland E M C and solar
Upper Cumberland E M C is an electric cooperative serving about 45,862 homes in Tennessee. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 14.1¢4% above Tennessee average
- Typical bill
- $1721,225 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~19%No statewide net metering
- Typical payback
- 23.2 yrs5.4 kW, cash
Export rules for Upper Cumberland E M C customers
No statewide net metering (Tennessee rule).
Tennessee has no net metering law; almost all homes are served by TVA-supplied local power companies. Solar offsets your own usage, but exported power is typically bought at TVA's low wholesale avoided-cost rate (about 2.7 c/kWh in late 2026) or a local utility's own rate.
Solar for a typical Upper Cumberland E M C home
| System | 5.4 kW (50% of 1,225 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $20,240 |
| First-year savings | $822 |
| Payback | 23.2 years |
| 25-year net | $2,019 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 45,862
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Upper Cumberland E M C and solar
Does Upper Cumberland E M C have net metering?
Upper Cumberland E M C follows Tennessee's rules: Tennessee has no net metering law; almost all homes are served by TVA-supplied local power companies. Solar offsets your own usage, but exported power is typically bought at TVA's low wholesale avoided-cost rate (about 2.7 c/kWh in late 2026) or a local utility's own rate.
How much does electricity cost with Upper Cumberland E M C?
Residential customers paid an average of 13.7¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 14.1¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,225 kWh a month, a bill of about $172.
Is solar worth it with Upper Cumberland E M C?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 5.4 kW system costing about $20,240 pays back in about 23.2 years, with $2,019 net over 25 years.
How many Upper Cumberland E M C customers have solar?
Upper Cumberland E M C did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: Upper Cumberland E M C (EIA ID 19574). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.