Georgia Solar Panels

Georgia does not have a statewide full-retail net metering policy. Instead, Georgia Power — the state’s largest investor-owned utility — offers the RNR-Instantaneous Netting (Solar Buy Back) program. Residential customers with grid-connected solar systems can export excess electricity to the grid and receive bill credits at the Solar Avoided Cost Rate of 3.2188¢/kWh for 2026, plus an additional 4¢/kWh adder approved during the 2022 rate case, bringing the effective export rate to approximately 7.2¢/kWh.

Residential solar systems must be 10 kW AC or smaller to participate, and enrollment is first-come, first-served due to a statewide participation cap set at 0.2% of Georgia Power’s prior-year peak electricity demand. Unused monthly credits roll over to the following month, helping offset bills during lower-production periods.

Because the export rate is below retail electricity rates, pairing your solar system with battery storage can help you maximize self-consumption and reduce reliance on grid exports. Contact Georgia Power or visit their website to check current enrollment availability before purchasing a system.

Georgia Power’s Community Solar program is ideal for homeowners who cannot install rooftop solar — due to renting, shading, or roof limitations. Residential customers can subscribe to up to 10 blocks of solar energy at $24.00 per 1 kW block per month, while small business customers pay $25.00 per block per month. Each block generates an estimated 115–215 kWh per month. Customers receive renewable energy credits directly on their monthly electric bill.

An Income-Qualified Community Solar option is available for households earning 200% or less of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines. Eligible customers receive one 1 kW block at a significantly reduced rate of just $6.00 per month. Participation in the income-qualified tier is limited to 5,000 customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Any residential customer on the standard residential service rate located within the Georgia Power service territory may apply. There is no installation required, making this a low-barrier way to support and benefit from solar energy. Visit Georgia Power’s website to check current availability and apply.

Cooperative Solar is a community solar program available through many of Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs), administered by Green Power EMC. Members can subscribe to a share of solar energy generated at offsite solar facilities and receive clean, renewable energy credits directly on their monthly electric bill — no rooftop installation required.

Participating EMCs include Central Georgia EMC, Coastal Electric Cooperative, Coweta-Fayette EMC, Diverse Power, GreyStone Power, Habersham EMC, Jackson EMC, Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Middle Georgia EMC, Okefenoke REMC, Satilla REMC, Sawnee EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC, Sumter EMC, Tri-County EMC, and Walton EMC. For example, Central Georgia EMC members can subscribe to a 1 kW block for approximately $19 per month, with each block producing an estimated 102–264 kWh monthly.

This program is a great option for EMC members who want to go solar without installing panels on their property. Subscription terms, pricing, and availability vary by cooperative, so contact your local EMC or visit Green Power EMC’s website to learn about options in your area.

Residential members of Central Georgia EMC are eligible for a solar rebate of $450 per kW for photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 10 kW in capacity. For a typical 6 kW residential system, this could mean up to $2,700 back — a meaningful reduction in the upfront cost of going solar. The rebate is paid as a one-time incentive after installation.

To qualify, the solar system must be grid-interconnected and net-metered, installed by a licensed contractor, and come with a manufacturer’s warranty of at least five years. The system must also comply with all applicable building and National Electric Codes. There is a $100 application fee to participate in the program.

Contact Central Georgia EMC directly before beginning your installation to confirm the program is still accepting applications and to obtain the necessary application materials. Rebate availability may be subject to funding limits, so early application is recommended.

GreyStone Power, an electric membership cooperative serving portions of the Atlanta metro area, offers a one-time solar rebate to its member-owners. The rebate is equal to $450 per kilowatt (kW) AC of installed solar capacity for systems up to 10 kW in size. For a typical 6 kW system, this represents up to $2,700 in savings on your installation cost.

To be eligible, the solar PV system must be interconnected to the grid and net-metered through GreyStone Power. Systems must be installed by a licensed contractor and meet all applicable electrical and building codes. The rebate is a one-time payment, not an ongoing credit.

Contact GreyStone Power directly to verify current program availability, confirm eligibility requirements, and obtain application materials before scheduling your installation. Program funding may be limited, so it is advisable to apply early in the process.

The Georgia Solar Program, administered by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), provides rebates to eligible public entities — specifically cities, counties, and K-12 public schools — to help offset the cost of installing solar energy systems. The program reimburses up to 50% of the total cost of materials, design, and installation, with a maximum rebate of $50,000 per project.

Eligible systems include ground-mount or rooftop solar installations up to 60 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. This program is designed exclusively for governmental and public school entities and is not available to residential homeowners or private businesses.

Public entities interested in applying should visit the GEFA website for current program guidelines, application requirements, and deadlines. Funding availability may vary, so early engagement with GEFA is strongly encouraged.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), administered by the USDA Rural Development office, provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to eligible rural small businesses and agricultural producers in Georgia for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, including solar PV and battery storage. Grants can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs (up to $1 million), while guaranteed loans can cover up to 75%. Applicants may apply for both a grant and a loan for the same project.

To be eligible, applicants must be an agricultural producer or a small business located in an eligible rural area. The proposed project must be technically feasible and have a reasonable expectation of financial success. Residential homeowners who are not agricultural producers or rural small business owners do not qualify for this program.

Important note: As of the time of this writing, the USDA is not accepting new REAP grant applications. Check the USDA Rural Development website or contact your local USDA Rural Development office in Georgia for the most current information on application windows and program status.

Georgia Power’s Simple Solar program gives customers a way to support renewable solar energy without installing panels on their property. Participants purchase certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) that meet standards approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission, ensuring the energy comes from qualified renewable generation sources.

Customers can choose to cover either 50% or 100% of their monthly electricity usage through the program. The additional charge is 1.25¢ per kWh per month for the selected coverage level. For example, a customer using 1,000 kWh per month who opts for 100% coverage would pay an additional $12.50 per month.

Simple Solar is available to any Georgia Power residential or business customer and requires no installation or equipment. It is a straightforward option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and support solar development in Georgia without committing to a rooftop system or community solar subscription.