West Kentucky Rural E C C and solar
West Kentucky Rural E C C is an electric cooperative serving about 32,248 homes in Kentucky. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 15.0¢8% above Kentucky average
- Typical bill
- $1821,210 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~50%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 17.2 yrs5.4 kW, cash
Export rules for West Kentucky Rural E C C customers
Net billing (reduced export credit) (Kentucky rule).
Kentucky requires net metering for systems up to 45 kW, but since SB 100 (2019) the PSC sets the export credit in each utility's rate case. For the big investor-owned utilities, power you send to the grid earns a bill credit of roughly 7-10 cents/kWh, well below the retail rate.
Solar for a typical West Kentucky Rural E C C home
| System | 5.4 kW (50% of 1,210 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $16,190 |
| First-year savings | $950 |
| Payback | 17.2 years |
| 25-year net | $9,243 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 32,248
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about West Kentucky Rural E C C and solar
Does West Kentucky Rural E C C have net metering?
West Kentucky Rural E C C follows Kentucky's rules: Kentucky requires net metering for systems up to 45 kW, but since SB 100 (2019) the PSC sets the export credit in each utility's rate case. For the big investor-owned utilities, power you send to the grid earns a bill credit of roughly 7-10 cents/kWh, well below the retail rate.
How much does electricity cost with West Kentucky Rural E C C?
Residential customers paid an average of 14.2¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 15.0¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,210 kWh a month, a bill of about $182.
Is solar worth it with West Kentucky Rural E C C?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 5.4 kW system costing about $16,190 pays back in about 17.2 years, with $9,243 net over 25 years.
How many West Kentucky Rural E C C customers have solar?
West Kentucky Rural E C C did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: West Kentucky Rural E C C (EIA ID 20377). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.