Energy Use
Energy Use | Solar Installation | Electrical | Rockwood
Nestled between the rolling ridges and the wide-open Tennessee sky, HEP is turning Rockwood’s abundant sunshine into tangible, money-saving power. Our solar installation expertise empowers homeowners, businesses, and farms to generate their own clean electricity, shrink monthly bills, and take pride in a lighter carbon footprint. From the first roof-top assessment to the final panel placement, HEP’s team handles every detail with local know-how and a neighborly touch.
Explore incentives, financing options, and real-time monitoring tools that put you in control of your energy future. Whether you’re curious about adding a few panels or ready to transform an entire property, we’ll guide you with transparent estimates, swift permitting, and trusted maintenance. Join the growing community of Rockwood residents who are capturing the sun and investing in a brighter tomorrow—one watt at a time.
FAQs
Is Rockwood sunny enough for solar panels to be effective year-round?
Yes. Rockwood receives an average of 4–4.5 peak sun-hours per day across the year, which is comparable to many successful solar markets in the Midwest. Modern photovoltaic (PV) modules generate power even on cloudy days, so a properly sized array can cover 70–100 % of a typical home’s annual electricity use.
What incentives, rebates, or tax credits are available for Rockwood homeowners who go solar?
Residents can claim the 30 % Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on the total project cost. In addition, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) offers a performance-based incentive that credits homeowners for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) exported to the grid. Local property-tax exemptions apply to the added value of the solar system, and many utilities provide one-time rebates ranging from $250 to $1,000. We review all current programs during your proposal so you capture every dollar of savings.
How does net metering work with our local utility, and what impact will it have on my electric bill?
With TVA’s Dispersed Power Production program, your solar array is tied to the grid through a bidirectional meter. When your panels produce more electricity than your home is using, the excess is sent to the grid and credited to your account. At night or on low-sun days, you draw power as usual and use the accumulated credits to offset those kWh. Most customers see their monthly bill drop to the utility’s fixed connection fee—often $15–$25—while still meeting nearly all of their annual energy needs.
What does a typical residential solar installation cost in Rockwood, and how long is the payback period?
A 6–8 kW system, large enough for the average Rockwood household, generally costs $15,000–$22,000 before incentives. After the 30 % ITC and any applicable rebates, the net cost averages $10,000–$14,000. With current electric rates and conservative production estimates, most homeowners break even in 7–10 years and enjoy 15–20 additional years of free power.
Will my solar panels keep the lights on during a grid outage?
A standard grid-tied system automatically shuts down during an outage for safety reasons. If you want backup power, we can add a battery storage option such as Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery. Batteries keep critical circuits—refrigeration, lighting, internet, and medical equipment—running for several hours to several days, depending on their capacity and the weather.
How much maintenance do solar panels require, and what warranties are included?
Solar PV systems are largely maintenance-free because they have no moving parts. We recommend rinsing the modules with a garden hose a few times a year or after heavy pollen buildup. Our installations come with a 25-year power-output warranty on panels, a 25-year warranty on micro-inverters or a 12-year warranty on string inverters (extendable to 25), and a 10-year workmanship warranty on all labor and mounting hardware. Remote monitoring alerts us to any performance issues, allowing quick, no-cost service under warranty.