Athens, GA
Solar in Athens
Looking to harness Athens, GA’s abundant sunshine with home solar panels? While Georgia ranks 39th for residential solar installations, Athens residents are increasingly embracing clean energy to combat rising electricity costs—prices have jumped 18% since 2020.
Discover how solar installation can reduce your environmental footprint while providing long-term energy savings in the Classic City.
Key Takeaways
- Athens residents can save approximately $44,830 over 25 years with solar panels while reducing their environmental impact.
- Georgia offers a 30% federal tax credit worth about $7,444 for the average Athens solar installation.
- Athens’ abundant sunshine produces excellent solar output with systems generating up to 54 kWh per day during peak summer months.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the true cost of solar in Athens with Palmetto’s exclusive calculator. Using real installation data from Five Points, Normaltown, Boulevard, and throughout Clarke County, we provide accurate, transparent estimates tailored to your neighborhood—no guesswork, just facts to help you make informed energy decisions.
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Estimated Investment and Savings
Based on Palmetto Solar installations in Georgia. Current electricity rate: 14.1¢/kWh. Assumes 70% credit of retail rate.
Athens Electricity Prices
Athens residents face a shifting energy landscape as electricity costs continue to rise, impacting monthly budgets and long-term financial planning.
While Georgia’s electricity rates remain below the national average, Athens homeowners have seen costs increase from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024—a 12.8% jump in just three years.
Solar installation offers Athens homeowners a path to energy independence by generating clean electricity right at home. With the Classic City’s ample sunshine, solar panels can significantly offset these rising utility costs.
By investing in solar today, Athens residents can lock in energy costs for decades, protecting against future rate increases while contributing to a more sustainable Five Points, Normaltown, and greater Clarke County community.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Athens Area Utility Providers
Athens residents have three main electricity providers: Georgia Power (14.6¢/kWh), Jackson EMC (12.0¢/kWh), and Walton EMC (13.4¢/kWh). According to 2023 data, all three utilities offered rates below the national average of 16.0¢/kWh.
While Athens utility rates were competitive compared to the national average, Georgia Power exceeded the state average of 13.70¢/kWh. Jackson EMC offered the most affordable option in Athens, with rates 25% below the national average.
Solar installation provides Athens homeowners price stability against potential utility rate increases. With abundant sunshine in the Classic City, solar panels can generate clean electricity at a fixed cost for 25+ years.
Athens Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Athens homeowners can access valuable solar incentives in Georgia that significantly reduce installation costs, including federal tax credits and Georgia Power’s net billing program.
The federal solar investment tax credit offers substantial savings, while Georgia Power’s net billing program compensates homeowners for excess energy production at 7.3¢/kWh, helping accelerate your return on investment.
These incentives can change over time, so research your options thoroughly. Acting promptly ensures you maximize available benefits while transitioning to clean energy in Athens.
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 panels produce. Unlike traditional net metering, this program doesn’t provide a 1:1 credit for exported energy. Instead, when your solar system generates electricity, you’ll first use that power in your home (avoiding retail electricity costs), and any excess power sent back to the grid receives a credit at a lower rate.
For 2024, Georgia Power values exported electricity at approximately 8.5¢ per kilowatt-hour (up from 6.89¢ in 2023). This rate combines the avoided cost of power (4.5¢) plus an additional 4¢ incentive. These credits are applied directly to your current month’s electric bill, with no annual true-up period. It’s important to note that the credit rate changes annually, and customers receive the current rate with no lock-in period. This means the value of your exported solar energy could increase or decrease in future years based on Georgia Power’s annual adjustments.
There are no specific eligibility requirements mentioned for this program beyond being a Georgia Power customer with a solar installation. Since credits are settled monthly rather than annually, any excess credits not used within the billing month don’t roll over to future months. This structure makes it particularly beneficial to size your solar system appropriately for your household’s electricity needs.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Georgia incentives.
Get a Free QuoteAthens Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Athens, GA enjoys abundant sunshine year-round, with hot summers and mild winters creating ideal conditions for solar energy production despite occasional cloud cover.
Solar Production in Athens by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average 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)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average 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
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 EstimateSolar Installations in Athens
Discover the solar revolution in Athens, GA! We’ve mapped every solar installation in your area, showing how neighborhoods are embracing clean energy. Explore our interactive heatmap to see which communities near you are leading the charge toward sustainable power.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Athens, GA, Georgia Power customers have access to a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through Palmetto’s LightReach program. With this option, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce at a predetermined rate—typically lower than utility prices—without owning the equipment.
The PPA model eliminates upfront costs and maintenance responsibilities while still reducing your carbon footprint and electricity bills. Palmetto handles all installation, monitoring, insurance, and repairs throughout the agreement term, providing peace of mind compared to cash purchases.
For Athens residents served by Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) like Jackson EMC or Walton EMC, the LightReach program isn’t currently available. However, these customers can still explore traditional financing options with low monthly payments that often cost less than your current utility bills.
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 MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense in Athens, GA due to abundant sunshine, rising electricity costs, and the 30% federal tax credit. The average Athens homeowner can save approximately $44,830 over 25 years with a properly sized system.
With Georgia Power’s net billing program offering compensation for excess energy and Athens’ excellent solar production potential, residents can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while achieving long-term energy independence.
Athens does not have traditional net metering. Georgia Power offers a net billing program that credits exported electricity at approximately 8.5¢/kWh in 2024, up from 6.89¢ in 2023. This combines the avoided cost of power (4.5¢) plus a 4¢ incentive.
Cobb EMC provides monthly net metering with 1:1 credits, while other local providers like Jackson EMC and Walton EMC offer export credits ranging from 4-5.5¢/kWh. All utilities settle credits monthly with no annual true-up period.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Athens, GA. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For the median Athens home value of around $350,000, this represents a potential $14,350 increase. This premium reflects both the energy savings benefits and the growing demand for sustainable homes in the Athens market.
In Athens, GA, solar installation typically costs between $17,370 and $21,104 after applying the 30% federal tax credit. The price varies based on system size (7-11kW), equipment quality, and installation complexity.
Most Athens homeowners see a payback period of 11-12 years, with average 25-year savings of $44,830. Monthly electric bill savings average $102 for medium-sized homes.
In Athens, solar is financially worthwhile with average 25-year savings of $44,830 against an initial investment of $17,370 after tax credits. The payback period is typically 11-12 years for most homeowners.
With Georgia’s abundant sunshine and rising electricity costs (up 12.8% since 2021), solar provides long-term financial stability while protecting against future utility rate increases.
As a national solar provider with strong local presence in Georgia, Palmetto is the best choice for Athens residents considering solar installation. We’ve completed over 2,400 installations in Georgia since 2020, offering exceptional financing options and a reliable installation network.
Our customer-centric approach focuses on education, transparency, and long-term relationships, ensuring Athens homeowners receive quality solar solutions that maximize their energy independence while reducing environmental impact.