Does Georgia have net metering?

Georgia doesn't have traditional net metering. Instead, most utilities offer net billing programs that credit excess solar energy at lower rates than retail. Georgia Power pays approximately 8.5¢/kWh for exported electricity in 2024, up from 6.89¢ in 2023. Only a few providers like Cobb EMC and Flint EMC offer monthly net metering with 1:1 credits for consumption within the same month. Most utilities settle monthly with no annual true-up, and some charge additional solar fees.

Palmetto

Georgia

Solar Guide

Certified by Nathan Healy

Quality Solar Solutions Since 2011

Palmetto has served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.

Solar in Georgia

Looking to harness Georgia’s plentiful sunshine with home solar panels? With over 218 sunny days annually, Georgia offers excellent solar potential, especially as electricity prices have surged 18% from 2020 to 2024.

Understanding solar installation options helps Georgia homeowners make informed decisions about energy independence and long-term savings. Let’s explore how solar can work specifically for your Georgia home.

GEORGIA by the Numbers

39th Most residential solar in the United States

11k Households have installed solar panels

~$7k Georgia average solar rebate savings

~$46k Georgia average savings over 25 years

Key Takeaways

Georgia’s abundant sunshine offers excellent solar potential with over 218 sunny days annually, helping homeowners offset rising electricity costs.
Federal tax credits reduce costs by 30% on solar installations in Georgia, bringing the average system cost down to about $17,370.
The average Georgia solar system can save homeowners approximately $46,000 over 25 years with a payback period of 11.7 years.

Palmetto Reviews

The guys did a very neat and professional installation. It did not take away from the overall look of the house and they completed the installation on time with what appeared to be a minimum amount of difficulty. I would highly recommend Palmetto for Solar installations

Joel Gerbers

Talking Rock, Georgia

Installation was quick. Installers was professional and courteous. The only downside is that it takes a while for the all the inspectors to get it activated. 3 weeks and counting………. After the first bill we see a significant savings. With inflation on the rise I’m glad we took the risk on this investment.

Laurie Figueroa

Athens, Georgia

I do not understand the negative reviews here. My experience with Palmetto Solar was incredible. My salesman, Brandon, was informative, but not pushy. He answered every question I had. He stayed with me via text every step of the way, even texting me three times on the installation day to make sure I was happy. So many people reached out to me from Palmetto to introduce themselves and to make sure that all of my questions/concerns were addressed. The online timeline for my project was very informative. The installation crew was incredible. They introduced themselves to me and they explained the installation process to me. They did run into a problem that most installation crews would have ignored, but they explained it to me and then explained the correction to the problem. The crew also stopped at my neighbor’s house and got his solar system operational that he purchased from the competition. He had been waiting for months for the competition he used to fix his problem with no relief from them. The professionalism, concern, and customer service they provided was awesome and more companies need to take Palmetto’s lead on how to do business to result in happy customers.

James B

Buford, Georgia

Solar Cost in Georgia

Discover the true cost of solar panels in Georgia with Palmetto’s calculator. Using real installation data from Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and other Georgia cities, we provide accurate, local estimates to help you make informed decisions about solar energy for your home.

System Size

Recommended System

8.93 kW

Typical for your home size in GA

This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Georgia.

Cost Breakdown

System Cost

$24,814

Federal Tax Credit (30%)

$-7,444

Final Cost

$17,370

Savings

Monthly Savings

Average utility bill reduction

$105

Payback Period

Break-even point

11.7 years

25-Year Savings
Total financial benefit
$45,976

Get Your Personalized Quote

Palmetto’s Local Georgia Metro Guides

If you’re looking for detailed city guides within the state of Georgia, we’ve assembled a trove of information to help you feel informed and educated.

Alpharetta, GA

Athens, GA

Atlanta, GA

Augusta, GA

Columbus, GA

Macon, GA

Savannah, GA

Georgia Electricity Prices

Georgia residents rely on several major utility providers, each with varying electricity rates. In 2023, costs ranged from Cobb EMC’s 11.7¢/kWh to Georgia Power’s 14.6¢/kWh, compared to the state average of 13.7¢/kWh.

Most Georgia utilities offered rates below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢/kWh, with Cobb EMC providing the most competitive pricing. These regional differences reflect varying infrastructure costs, customer density, and energy procurement strategies across service areas.

While Georgia’s electricity costs remain relatively moderate, solar installation provides price stability against potential future rate increases. By generating your own clean energy, you can reduce reliance on utility providers and potentially lower your monthly energy expenses.

Georgia Utilities Electricity Rates

Cobb EMC

11.70¢

-27%

Georgia Power

14.60¢

-9%

GreyStone Power

12.00¢

-25%

Jackson EMC

12.00¢

-25%

Sawnee EMC

12.60¢

-21%

Snapping Shoals EMC

12.40¢

-22%

Walton EMC

13.40¢

-16%

GA Average

13.70¢

-14%

US Average

16.0¢

—

Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861, Table 6

Georgia Solar Incentives

Georgia homeowners can access various solar incentives in Georgia to help offset installation costs, making solar power more affordable and accessible.

These incentives include the federal solar tax credit and Georgia Power’s Net Billing program, which allows homeowners to receive credits for excess solar energy produced and sent back to the grid.

Remember that incentive programs can change over time. Research current offerings thoroughly and consider acting promptly to maximize your potential savings.

Save an average of

$7,444

in solar rebates in Georgia

INCENTIVE	TYPE	DESCRIPTION	SOURCE
Residential Clean Energy Credit	Federal tax credit	A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed	Learn More

The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.

The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.

Georgia Power’s Net Billing program offers solar homeowners a way to receive credit for excess electricity their systems produce. Unlike traditional net metering, this program doesn’t provide a 1:1 credit for exported energy. Instead, when your solar panels generate electricity that you use immediately in your home, you avoid purchasing that electricity at retail rates. Any excess electricity that flows back to the grid earns you a credit at a lower, fixed rate.

For 2025, Georgia Power values exported electricity at approximately 7.3¢ per kilowatt-hour (6.89¢ in 2023, 8.5¢ in 2024). This rate combines the avoided cost of power plus an additional 4¢ incentive. These credits are applied to your current month’s bill, with no annual true-up period. It’s important to note that the credit rate changes annually, and customers receive the current value as there is no rate lock-in period. This means the value of your exported electricity may increase or decrease in future years based on Georgia Power’s annual adjustments.

Ready to start saving with solar?

Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Georgia incentives.

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Georgia Solar Irradiance

Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Georgia’s abundant sunshine and moderate climate make it ideal for solar production, despite seasonal variations. With the right system, Georgia homes can harness significant solar energy year-round.

What Can the Average Georgia Solar System Power?

Summer Production (July)

54 kWh/day

In July, your 10 kW system could power:

3.6 average Georgia homes (15 kWh/day per home)
or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Winter Production (December)

30 kWh/day

In December, your 10 kW system could power:

2 average Georgia homes (15 kWh/day per home)
or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Annual Production

14,600 kWh/year

Over a year, your 10 kW system could:

Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs

Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?

Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.

Get My Custom Estimate

Leasing Solar Panels

In Georgia, Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) option for Georgia Power customers looking to go solar without the upfront costs. With a PPA, you pay for the power your solar system generates at a set price per kilowatt-hour instead of purchasing the system outright.

This arrangement provides significant benefits: Palmetto handles all system design, installation, maintenance, and repairs at no additional cost to you. Our premium black solar panels and high-efficiency inverters are professionally installed with comprehensive project management included. Plus, our 90% Production Guarantee means we’ll credit you the difference if your system underperforms.

Interested in exploring solar financing options without the responsibility of ownership? Compare buying versus leasing or learn more about our worry-free LightReach energy plan that centralizes everything into one inclusive package.

Go solar without the investment

With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, solar makes sense in Georgia with over 218 sunny days annually and rising electricity costs. The 30% federal tax credit brings average system costs down to $17,370, making solar increasingly affordable.

Georgia residents can expect approximately $46,000 in savings over 25 years with an 11.7-year payback period. While Georgia lacks traditional net metering, utility programs still allow homeowners to receive credit for excess energy production.

Georgia doesn’t have traditional net metering. Instead, most utilities offer net billing programs that credit excess solar energy at lower rates than retail. Georgia Power pays approximately 7.3¢/kWh for exported electricity in 2025, which is actually slightly down from 8.5¢/kWh in 2024.

Only a few providers like Cobb EMC and Flint EMC offer monthly net metering with 1:1 credits for consumption within the same month. Most utilities settle monthly with no annual true-up, and some charge additional solar fees.

Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Georgia. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sold for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.

For the average Georgia home value of around $320,000, this could mean an additional $13,000 in resale value. The increase tends to be higher in areas with greater solar adoption and environmental consciousness, particularly in metro Atlanta.

In Georgia, the average cost of solar panel installation is around $24,814 for an 8.93 kW system before incentives. After applying the 30% federal tax credit, the final cost drops to approximately $17,370.

Factors affecting your specific cost include system size, roof characteristics, equipment quality, and installation complexity. Most Georgia homeowners see a payback period of 11.7 years and save about $46,000 over the system’s 25-year lifespan.

For most Georgia homeowners, solar is financially worthwhile with systems paying for themselves in about 11.7 years and generating approximately $46,000 in savings over 25 years.

With the 30% federal tax credit reducing costs and Georgia’s abundant sunshine, solar provides protection against rising electricity rates (which increased 18% from 2020-2024) while adding approximately 4.1% to your home’s resale value.

As a national company with a strong local presence, Palmetto has completed over 2,400 installations in Georgia since 2020. We offer competitive financing options and maintain a trusted installation network throughout the state.

Our comprehensive approach includes custom system design, quality equipment, and ongoing support through our monitoring app. We’re committed to making solar accessible and straightforward for Georgia homeowners seeking energy independence.