Atlanta, GA
Solar in Atlanta
Looking to harness Atlanta’s abundant sunshine with home solar panels? Despite Georgia ranking 39th nationally for residential solar installations, Atlanta homeowners are increasingly turning to solar panel installation as electricity prices have surged 18% since 2020.
As Atlanta’s climate offers ideal conditions for solar energy production, understanding your solar installation options has never been more important for reducing utility bills while contributing to a cleaner Georgia environment.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta receives ample sunshine for effective solar power generation, with panels producing 40-50% more electricity in summer than winter months.
- The federal solar tax credit saves Atlanta homeowners $7,444 on average, making solar installation more affordable and accelerating your payback period.
- Georgia Power’s Net Billing program allows homeowners to receive credit for excess electricity at approximately 8.5¢ per kilowatt-hour.
Solar Cost Calculator
Curious about solar costs in Atlanta? Our calculator uses real installation data from Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and across metro Atlanta to give you accurate, personalized estimates. Skip the guesswork and see what solar actually costs for Atlanta homeowners like you.
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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.
Atlanta Electricity Prices
Atlanta’s electricity costs have been climbing steadily, impacting household budgets across the metro area. Let’s examine what this means for homeowners considering solar installation in Atlanta.
While Atlanta’s electricity rates remain below the national average, they’ve still increased by 12.8% since 2021. Georgia power costs rose from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024.
Solar installation in Atlanta offers a practical solution to these rising utility costs. By generating your own clean electricity, you can significantly reduce your monthly bills while maintaining energy independence.
Over time, Atlanta solar installations provide substantial savings as electricity prices continue their upward trend. With systems designed to last 25+ years, homeowners can lock in lower energy costs for decades.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Atlanta Area Utility Providers
Atlanta residents are served by several utility companies, with 2023 electricity rates ranging from 11.7¢ to 14.6¢ per kWh – all below the national average of 16.0¢ but varying around Georgia’s 13.7¢ state average.
Georgia Power charges the highest local rate at 14.6¢, while Cobb EMC offers Atlanta’s lowest at 11.7¢. These competitive rates benefit from Georgia’s diverse energy mix, including nuclear power, which helps keep costs below national averages.
While Atlanta enjoys relatively affordable electricity, installing solar panels can provide long-term price stability against future rate increases. With abundant sunshine and decreasing installation costs, many Atlanta homeowners find solar increasingly cost-effective compared to traditional utility power.
Atlanta Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Atlanta homeowners can access various solar incentives in Georgia that significantly reduce installation costs, including federal tax credits and local utility programs.
The federal solar investment tax credit offers substantial savings, while Georgia Power’s Net Billing program allows homeowners to offset electricity costs through solar production at varying rates.
These incentives can change over time, so research thoroughly and act promptly to maximize your savings. Consult with solar experts to understand how these programs apply to your specific situation.
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 homeowners with solar panels a way to receive credit for excess electricity sent back to the grid. Under this program, any solar energy you produce and immediately use in your home helps you avoid purchasing electricity at the retail rate. When your system generates more electricity than you’re using, that excess power is exported to the grid and credited to your account.
As of January 2024, Georgia Power values exported electricity at approximately 8.5¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This rate consists of the avoided cost of power (4.5¢) plus an additional 4¢ incentive. It’s worth noting this is an increase from the 2023 rate of 6.89¢/kWh. The credit rate changes annually, and customers receive the current value as there is no rate lock-in period. Credits are applied to your current month’s bill, with monthly settlement rather than annual true-up. This means any credits must be used within the billing month they’re generated.
Unlike traditional net metering programs in some states, Georgia Power’s program doesn’t provide a 1:1 credit at retail rates for exported electricity. Instead, it offers a specific export credit rate that is typically lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity. This makes it especially beneficial to size your solar system appropriately and maximize self-consumption of the electricity you produce.
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 QuoteAtlanta 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.
Atlanta’s subtropical climate and abundant sunshine create favorable conditions for solar energy, despite occasional cloud cover. With proper installation, solar panels can thrive year-round in Georgia’s capital.
Solar Production in Atlanta 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 Atlanta
Discover Atlanta’s solar revolution! We’ve mapped every solar installation in the city, revealing neighborhoods embracing clean energy. Explore our interactive heatmap to see how many of your neighbors have already switched to solar power, and find out which Atlanta communities are leading the charge toward sustainability.
Leasing Solar Panels
For Atlanta homeowners served by Georgia Power, Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) option through our LightReach program. With this arrangement, you pay only for the electricity your solar panels produce at a competitive rate, while Palmetto owns, installs, and maintains the system.
This PPA solution eliminates the upfront investment typically required for solar installation while still providing immediate savings on your electricity bills. Unlike purchasing panels outright, you’re free from maintenance responsibilities and performance concerns, as Palmetto ensures optimal system operation.
For customers of other utilities like Cobb EMC or Jackson EMC, traditional purchasing options remain available. While these require more initial investment, they offer greater long-term savings potential as you own the system and all the electricity it produces.
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 Atlanta due to the city’s abundant sunshine, with an average of 217 sunny days per year – well above the national average. Georgia’s climate provides excellent solar production potential.
The 30% federal tax credit significantly reduces installation costs, while rising electricity rates (up 18% since 2020) make solar an increasingly attractive investment. Most Atlanta homeowners see complete system payback within 11-12 years.
Atlanta does not have traditional net metering. Instead, Georgia Power offers a Net Billing program where excess electricity exported to the grid is credited at approximately 8.5¢/kWh (as of 2024), rather than the full retail rate.
Some electric membership corporations (EMCs) like Cobb EMC offer monthly net metering with 1:1 credit for consumption that month, while others like Jackson EMC and Walton EMC provide export credits at varying rates (typically 3-5¢/kWh). All utilities settle monthly rather than annually.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Atlanta. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For the median-priced Atlanta home (around $412,000), that’s a potential value increase of nearly $17,000. This premium reflects both the energy savings and the growing demand for sustainable features among Atlanta homebuyers.
The average cost of solar installation in Atlanta ranges from $14,023 (small homes) to $21,104 (large homes) after the 30% federal tax credit. A medium-sized home typically requires an 8.93 kW system costing around $17,370.
System prices vary based on roof complexity, equipment quality, and installation company. Most Atlanta homeowners can expect to save approximately $45,000 over 25 years with solar panels.
Solar is financially worthwhile for most Atlanta homeowners, with average savings of $45,977 over 25 years for medium-sized homes. The combination of Georgia’s abundant sunshine, the 30% federal tax credit, and rising electricity rates (up 18% since 2020) creates favorable economics.
Most Atlanta solar systems pay for themselves in 11-12 years, providing over a decade of essentially free electricity while protecting against future utility rate increases.
As a national company with a strong local presence in Atlanta, we at Palmetto have completed over 2,400 installations in Georgia since 2020. Our expertise in the Atlanta market allows us to provide customized solar solutions that address the region’s specific needs.
We offer some of the industry’s best financing options, making solar accessible to more homeowners. Our established network of certified installers ensures quality workmanship, while our comprehensive approach covers everything from system design to ongoing monitoring and maintenance.