Solar in Little Rock: Entergy Arkansas, Act 464 and city permits

Local market

Solar in Little Rock by the numbers

Metro population

760K

Typical cost per watt

$2.65

Paid lead cost

$80.00 to $160.00

Installer density

Moderate

Climate for solar

How much sun does Little Rock get?

Little Rock gets around 4.9 peak sun hours per day with 216 sunny days per year, moderate-to-strong for solar. Summer thunderstorms reduce afternoon production. Tornado-prone weather in April and May requires proper structural attachment. High humidity requires marine-grade stainless hardware for durability.

Who delivers power here

Utilities serving Little Rock

Entergy Arkansas, investor-owned, serves most of the Little Rock metro, Various electric cooperatives (First Electric Cooperative, Petit Jean Electric Cooperative) serve rural outlying areas, North Little Rock Electric serves North Little Rock (municipal).

For how exports are credited and what the statewide rules look like, see the Arkansas solar market guide.

Permits and inspection

Pulling a residential solar permit in Little Rock

City of Little Rock Planning and Development typically runs residential solar permits in 3 to 5 weeks. SolarAPP+ is not accepted. Surrounding Pulaski and Saline county jurisdictions run their own permits with 2 to 4 week typical timelines. Entergy Arkansas interconnection post-install typically runs 4 to 6 weeks.

Running a solar company here

Running a solar company in Little Rock

Running a solar company in Little Rock means working in a market with reasonable retail NEM protection through Act 464. The best Little Rock operators have templated workflows for Entergy Arkansas interconnection, model summer heat and winter cloud derating honestly, and spec hail-resistant panels where appropriate. Lead costs run $80 to $160 on Google search.

Questions people ask

Solar in Little Rock: FAQ

Does Entergy Arkansas have net metering?

Yes, 1-for-1 retail net metering protected by Act 464 (2019) until cumulative installed solar capacity reaches 15 percent of utility peak demand. Threshold has not been reached as of 2026 so new installations continue to receive retail NEM. Credits accrue monthly at retail; annual true-up at year-end with excess rolled forward.

How long does a solar permit take in Little Rock?

City of Little Rock Planning and Development typically runs residential solar permits in 3 to 5 weeks. Surrounding Pulaski and Saline counties run 2 to 4 weeks typically. Entergy Arkansas interconnection post-install adds 4 to 6 weeks.

How much does solar cost in Little Rock?

Little Rock runs about $2.65 per watt installed for residential, meaning a 7 kW system typically costs around $18,600 gross. After the 30 percent federal tax credit, net cost is approximately $13,000. Arkansas has no state solar tax credit.

Is solar worth it in Little Rock?

Yes for most Little Rock homes with suitable roofs. The combination of retail-rate net metering (protected by Act 464), moderate electric rates, and the 30 percent federal credit makes residential solar payback typically 9 to 12 years. The economics are better than Oklahoma or Mississippi because of the retail NEM protection.