Solar Guide
Solar in Augusta
Augusta residents are discovering how solar panels reduce energy costs while contributing to a cleaner environment. With Georgia electricity prices increasing 18% from 2020 to 2024, many homeowners are exploring solar as a smart investment.
Understanding your options is the first step toward energy independence in Augusta, GA. Our comprehensive guide to home solar panels will help you make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways
- Augusta homeowners can save an average of $47,000 over 25 years with solar panels while reducing their carbon footprint.
- Georgia’s 30% federal tax credit reduces your solar system cost by thousands, making clean energy more affordable than ever.
- Solar panels work year-round in Augusta producing clean energy even during Georgia’s mild winters and cloudy days.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from Augusta neighborhoods like Hill Acres, Forest Hills, and Summerville. Get accurate pricing based on actual local projects, not estimates from other states.
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Augusta Electricity Prices
Understanding Augusta’s electricity costs helps homeowners make informed decisions about their energy future and potential savings opportunities.
Georgia electricity rates have risen from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024, representing a steady increase in household energy expenses.
Solar panels allow Augusta homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and providing protection against future rate increases.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide significant savings while offering predictable energy costs, helping families budget more effectively for their future.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Augusta Area Utility Providers
Augusta residents served by Georgia Power paid 14.6¢ per kWh in 2023, slightly above the state average of 13.70¢ but below the national average of 16.0¢.
Georgia Power’s rates exceed the state average due to infrastructure investments and regulatory costs, though they remain competitive compared to many other states nationwide.
With electricity costs rising over time, solar panels can help Augusta homeowners lock in predictable energy costs while reducing dependence on utility rate increases.
Augusta Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Augusta homeowners can access valuable solar incentives in Georgia that help reduce installation costs and improve long-term savings.
Federal tax credits allow you to deduct a significant portion of your solar system cost from your taxes, making solar more affordable for Augusta residents.
Georgia Power’s net billing program lets homeowners earn credits for excess solar energy produced by their systems.
$7,444
Average savings in Georgia solar rebates
| 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 allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credits for excess electricity they send back to the grid. Unlike traditional net metering where you get full retail credit, this program pays you a lower rate for the solar energy you export. Any solar electricity you use directly in your home still saves you money at the full retail rate you would normally pay Georgia Power.
For 2024, Georgia Power pays approximately 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for excess solar energy sent to the grid. This rate includes 4.5 cents for avoided power costs plus an additional 4 cents. The export credit rate changes annually – in 2023 it was 6.89 cents per kWh. Credits are applied to your monthly bill with no annual rollover or cash payments for unused credits.
This program is available to Georgia Power customers who install qualifying solar systems. There’s no rate lock-in period, meaning you’ll always receive the current year’s export credit rate. The key thing to understand is that maximizing your direct solar usage during daylight hours will provide the greatest financial benefit, since self-consumed solar energy saves you the full retail electricity rate rather than the lower export credit rate.
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’s humid subtropical climate brings hot summers and mild winters, creating excellent solar conditions year-round despite occasional cloud cover and storms.
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 Installations in Augusta
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Augusta neighbors are going solar! This interactive map reveals which communities have embraced clean energy. Click any area to see how many homes have made the switch.
Leasing Solar Panels
Augusta homeowners have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through Georgia Power, offering an alternative to purchasing solar panels outright. With a PPA, you pay a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour for the solar electricity your system generates, typically lower than Georgia Power’s current rates.
Unlike buying solar panels, a PPA requires no upfront investment and includes system maintenance and monitoring by Palmetto. You simply pay for the clean energy your panels produce each month. While PPA customers don’t receive tax credits directly, they benefit from predictable energy costs and immediate savings without the responsibility of system ownership.
For Augusta residents served by Georgia Power, our LightReach program provides this PPA option, allowing you to go solar with zero down payment. Learn more about buying versus leasing solar to determine which approach fits your financial goals best.
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 excellent sense in Augusta, GA. With Georgia’s 300+ sunny days annually and electricity rates rising 18% since 2020, Augusta homeowners can save an average of $47,000 over 25 years with solar panels.
The 30% federal tax credit reduces installation costs significantly, while Georgia Power’s net billing program provides credits for excess energy. Augusta’s mild winters and abundant sunshine create ideal conditions for year-round solar production.
Augusta does not have traditional net metering. Instead, Georgia Power offers a net billing program where homeowners receive credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid, but at a lower rate than retail electricity prices.
In 2024, Georgia Power pays approximately 8.5 cents per kWh for exported solar energy, while you save the full retail rate (around 14.6 cents) for solar electricity you use directly in your home. This makes maximizing daytime solar usage important for Augusta homeowners.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Augusta, GA. A Zillow study shows solar panels increase home value by 4.1% on average nationwide, which translates to approximately $8,000-$12,000 for most Augusta homes.
Solar panels are viewed as valuable home improvements because they reduce monthly electricity costs and provide long-term energy savings. In Augusta’s competitive real estate market, homes with solar often sell faster and attract environmentally conscious buyers looking for move-in ready energy efficiency.
Solar installation costs in Augusta typically range from $14,000-$21,000 after the 30% federal tax credit, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical 8.9 kW system costs around $17,370 after incentives.
System prices vary based on roof complexity, panel type, and energy usage. Most Augusta homeowners see monthly savings of $100+ immediately, with systems paying for themselves in approximately 11 years through reduced electricity bills.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for most Augusta homeowners. With average savings of $47,000 over 25 years and systems paying for themselves in about 11 years, solar provides strong long-term returns.
The 30% federal tax credit reduces upfront costs significantly, while monthly savings of $100+ begin immediately. Rising Georgia electricity rates make solar’s fixed energy costs even more valuable over time.
We’re Palmetto Solar, a national company with strong local focus in Augusta. Since 2020, we’ve completed 2,471 installations across Georgia, bringing reliable solar solutions to communities throughout the state.
Our comprehensive approach includes some of the industry’s best financing options and a trusted installation network. We focus on making solar accessible and straightforward for Augusta homeowners, combining national expertise with personalized local service.