Augusta, GA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Augusta
Solar installation in Augusta, GA is growing as more homeowners look for stable, long-term ways to manage their energy costs. With Georgia electricity prices up 18% since 2020, it’s no surprise that residents are taking a closer look at their options.
At Palmetto, we work with homeowners across Georgia every day. This guide covers what you need to know about solar panels for your home — from how the process works to what Augusta homeowners can realistically expect.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Augusta, GA?
Using real installation data from Augusta and surrounding areas — including Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Harlem — this calculator gives you an honest, local estimate of what solar installation could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Augusta gets 218 sunny days per year — making it a strong candidate for solar, with average homeowner savings of ~$47,000 over 25 years.
- Georgia electricity prices have risen 13% since 2021 — going solar helps Augusta homeowners lock in more predictable energy costs for the long term.
- No upfront cost? No problem. Palmetto’s LightReach lease lets Augusta homeowners go solar for as little as $79/month with no installation costs or maintenance responsibilities.
Augusta Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Augusta, GA have been climbing — and understanding what you’re paying is the first step toward managing it.
Georgia electricity rates rose from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024 — roughly a 13% increase in just three years. Nationally, rates climbed even faster, jumping from 13.7 to 16.5 cents per kWh over the same period.
Solar panels in Augusta, GA can help homeowners reduce their dependence on the grid. By generating your own electricity, you’re less exposed to rate increases that are largely outside your control.
Over a 20–25 year system lifespan, that protection adds up. Augusta homeowners who go solar lock in a more predictable energy cost — a meaningful advantage as utility rates continue their long-term upward trend.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Augusta Area Utility Providers
In Augusta, GA, most residents get their electricity from Georgia Power. According to 2023 data, Georgia Power charged 14.6¢ per kWh — an important baseline for understanding your home energy costs.
Georgia Power’s 2023 rate of 14.6¢/kWh sits above Georgia’s state average of 13.70¢/kWh but below the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. This reflects Georgia’s relatively stable grid mix, though rates can shift with fuel and infrastructure costs.
Even at 14.6¢/kWh, electricity costs add up over time. Homeowners who generate their own solar energy can reduce how much they draw from the grid — helping protect against future rate increases.
Augusta Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Augusta homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Georgia that can help reduce the overall cost of going solar — depending on your utility provider.
Available programs include utility rebates from Central Georgia EMC and GreyStone Power, community solar subscriptions through Georgia Power and Green Power EMC, and renewable energy credits via Georgia Power’s Simple Solar program. Your eligibility depends on which utility serves your address.
The federal residential tax credit is no longer available for new installs. State and local incentives still apply. Palmetto’s LightReach solar leasing option simplifies this landscape — Palmetto handles the commercial tax credit and passes savings through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Power Community Solar Program | Community Solar | Georgia Power’s Community Solar program lets residential and small business customers subscribe to blocks of solar energy without installing rooftop panels, with an income-qualified option available at a reduced rate. | Learn More |
| Georgia Power Simple Solar (Renewable Energy Credits) | Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) | Georgia Power’s Simple Solar program allows residential and business customers to support solar energy by purchasing certified renewable energy credits (RECs) for 50% or 100% of their monthly electricity usage. | Learn More |
Georgia Power’s Community Solar program is ideal for homeowners in Augusta 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.
Georgia Power’s Simple Solar program gives customers in Augusta 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.
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 QuoteAugusta 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.
Augusta enjoys nearly 218 sunny days per year, warm summers, and mild winters — all great for solar production. Even cloudy days generate meaningful energy with the right system.
Solar Production in Augusta 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 Panel Systems in Augusta
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across the U.S. — and Augusta is no exception. Explore this interactive heatmap to see just how many of your neighbors in Augusta’s communities have already made the switch to solar. Click any area to see local installation numbers!
Leasing Solar Panels
Augusta homeowners served by Georgia Power have access to Palmetto’s LightReach Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — one of the most flexible ways to go solar without a large upfront investment. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce, at a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar panels tend to generate more power in summer, your monthly solar bill will vary slightly by season — but your annual savings remain consistent.
Compared to paying cash for a system, a PPA removes the burden of upfront costs, loan management, and ongoing maintenance. Palmetto owns the system and handles all servicing, so you benefit from clean energy without the responsibilities of ownership. You also receive a 90% production guarantee, giving you confidence that your system will perform as expected.
Wondering whether a PPA is right for you, or how it compares to other options? Our solar buy vs. lease guide walks through the key differences in plain language, so you can make an informed decision based on your home and budget.
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 for many Augusta homeowners. With 218 sunny days per year and 5.2 peak sun hours daily, Augusta has strong solar potential. Georgia electricity rates have risen 13% since 2021, and solar can help residents lock in more predictable energy costs — with average estimated savings of around $47,000 over 25 years.
Upfront cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease lets Augusta homeowners go solar with no money down, starting at around $79/month, with savings beginning from day one. Palmetto handles all maintenance, so there are no ownership responsibilities.
Most Augusta homeowners are served by Georgia Power, which does not offer traditional net metering. Instead, Georgia Power uses a Net Billing (Export Credit) program — solar energy you consume directly avoids purchasing electricity at the retail rate, while excess power exported to the grid is credited at approximately 8.5¢/kWh (as of 2024). Credits are applied monthly with no annual true-up.
This means your exported solar energy is valued below the retail rate of ~14.1¢/kWh, so maximizing self-consumption is key to getting the most from your system in Augusta.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Augusta. Research from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels sell for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $300,000 home in Augusta, that’s roughly $12,300 in added value.
This boost reflects buyer demand for homes with lower energy costs — a real advantage as Georgia electricity rates continue to rise. Keep in mind that owned systems typically add more value than leased systems, since ownership transfers with the home.
For Augusta homeowners, the most accessible way to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting around $79/month. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there are no ownership responsibilities.
If you prefer to own your system outright, cash purchase is an option. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. For a medium-sized Augusta home, cash system costs run approximately $24,814. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Augusta homeowners, solar can be financially worthwhile — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, there’s no upfront investment. Your monthly payment is typically lower than your current Georgia Power bill, meaning you can start saving from day one.
Augusta homeowners who go solar can save an estimated ~$47,000 over 25 years while gaining protection against rising electricity rates — which have climbed 13% in Georgia since 2021. Whether you lease or buy, the math increasingly favors going solar.
Palmetto Solar is a top choice for Augusta homeowners. We’re a national company with deep local roots — we’ve completed 2,471 installs across Georgia since 2020. Our vetted install network ensures quality workmanship, and we offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease with no upfront cost starting at $79/month.
Beyond installation, we provide ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% production guarantee — so Augusta homeowners can feel confident their system performs as expected for years to come.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Augusta homeowners pay one simple monthly payment that covers the solar panel system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee — with no upfront cost. For a typical 8.93 kW system in Augusta, the estimated monthly lease payment is approximately $100/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it qualifies for the commercial solar tax credit and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments. Since the lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, many Augusta homeowners start saving from day one.