Augusta, GA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Augusta
If you’re an Augusta, GA homeowner considering solar panel installation, you’re not alone. Georgia electricity prices have risen 18% from 2020 to 2024, and many residents are looking for ways to take control of their energy costs.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about solar panels for your home — from how the installation process works to what you can realistically expect in the Augusta area.
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, localized 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 5.2 peak sun hours per day — giving your home strong solar potential and an estimated $47,000 in savings over 25 years.
- Georgia electricity rates have risen 13% since 2021 — solar can help Augusta homeowners generate their own power and reduce reliance on the grid.
- You can go solar in Augusta with no upfront cost through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — starting as low as $79/month with no maintenance responsibilities.
Augusta Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Augusta have been climbing steadily — and understanding that trend can help homeowners make more informed energy decisions.
Georgia electricity rates rose from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents per kWh in 2024 — roughly a 13% increase in just three years. Augusta residents have felt that impact in their monthly utility bills.
Solar panels can help Augusta homeowners offset rising electricity costs by generating their own power from the sun. The more electricity you produce at home, the less you rely on the grid — and on rates you can’t control.
Over the long term, a solar installation can provide greater predictability in your energy expenses. While utility rates have historically trended upward, the energy your panels produce stays consistent — helping Augusta homeowners plan ahead with more confidence.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Augusta Area Utility Providers
Most Augusta, GA homeowners get their electricity from Georgia Power. According to 2023 data — the most recent available — Georgia Power’s residential rate is 14.6¢ per kWh, placing it between the state and national averages.
Georgia Power’s 2023 rate of 14.6¢ per kWh sits above Georgia’s state average of 13.70¢ per kWh, but below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh — a nuance worth understanding when evaluating your energy costs in Augusta.
Even when local rates fall below the national average, electricity costs tend to rise over time. For Augusta homeowners exploring solar panel installation, understanding your current rate is a practical first step toward managing long-term energy expenses.
Augusta Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Augusta homeowners may qualify for several solar incentives in Georgia that can help reduce the upfront and ongoing costs of going solar — depending on your utility provider.
Georgia Power customers in Augusta may benefit from the Solar Buy Back Program, earning bill credits for excess energy sent to the grid. Other Georgia utilities offer one-time cash rebates for residential solar installations. Availability varies by utility provider.
State and local incentives still apply. With a LightReach solar lease, Palmetto handles the commercial tax credit and passes those savings through lower monthly payments — simplifying the process for you.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Power Solar Buy Back Program (Net Billing) | Net Metering | Georgia Power residential solar customers in Augusta can export excess electricity to the grid and receive bill credits at approximately 7.2¢/kWh under the RNR-Instantaneous Netting program. | |
| Georgia Power Community Solar Program | Rebate | Georgia Power residential customers in Augusta can subscribe to community solar blocks at $24/kW per month (or $6/kW for income-qualified customers) to receive solar energy bill credits without installing rooftop panels. | |
| Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Solar Program | Rebate | GEFA reimburses Georgia cities, counties, and K-12 public schools up to 50% (or $50,000, whichever is less) of the cost of solar PV installations up to 60 kW. | Learn More |
Georgia Power — the state’s largest utility — offers the Renewable and Non-Renewable (RNR) Instantaneous Netting program, commonly called the Solar Buy Back Program. For 2026, residential customers who export excess solar electricity to the grid receive credits at the Solar Avoided Cost Rate of approximately 3.2188¢/kWh plus a PSC-approved 4¢/kWh adder, totaling roughly 7.2¢/kWh. Unused monthly credits roll over to the following month to help offset future bills.
To participate, your residential solar system must be 10 kW AC or smaller. Enrollment is first-come, first-served against a statewide cap set at 0.2% of Georgia Power’s prior-year peak demand, so it’s important to apply before your system is installed — retroactive enrollment is not available. Note that Georgia Power’s retail electricity rate is approximately 13¢/kWh, meaning self-consumption of your solar energy is significantly more valuable than exporting it.
Because the export rate (7.2¢/kWh) is well below the retail rate (13¢/kWh), Georgia Power customers in Augusta are strongly encouraged to size their system for maximum self-consumption and consider pairing solar with battery storage to capture daytime production for use during evening peak hours. Contact Georgia Power directly at (888) 660-5890 or visit their website to begin the interconnection and enrollment process.
Georgia Power offers a Community Solar Program that allows residential customers in Augusta to benefit from solar energy without installing panels on their own home. Standard residential customers can subscribe to solar blocks at $24.00 per 1 kW block per month, with each block generating an estimated 115–215 kWh per month in bill credits. Customers may subscribe to a maximum of 10 blocks. Small business customers pay $25.00 per block per month.
For income-qualified customers whose household income is at or below 200% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines, a significantly discounted rate of $6.00 per 1 kW block per month is available. This income-qualified tier is limited to 5,000 customers on a first-come, first-served basis, and each eligible customer receives one block.
Georgia Power also offers the Simple Solar program, which allows any residential or business customer to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) at an additional charge of 1.25¢ per kWh for either 50% or 100% of their monthly electricity usage — no installation or equipment required. Visit www.georgiapower.com to enroll in any of these programs.
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Solar Program provides rebates exclusively to Georgia cities, counties, and K-12 public schools for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. GEFA will reimburse up to 50% of the cost of materials, design, and installation, with a maximum reimbursement of $50,000, for ground-mount or rooftop solar systems up to 60 kW in capacity.
This program is designed exclusively for governmental and public school entities and is not available to residential homeowners or private businesses. Eligible public entities in Augusta interested in solar installations should contact GEFA directly to learn about application requirements, funding availability, and program timelines.
GEFA has also previously offered a Solar Resiliency Technical Assistance Program for government entities, reimbursing up to 85% of the cost of backup battery and solar PV systems (up to $200,000) at critical facilities. A second round of grid resilience grant funding is planned for 2026, pending the release of U.S. Department of Energy funding. Visit gefa.georgia.gov or call (404) 584-1000 for current program status and application information.
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 220 sunny days per year, warm summers, and mild winters — making it a strong candidate for solar. Even cloudy months produce 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 Augusta, GA so you can see just how many of your neighbors have already made the switch. Explore the map below to discover which communities and neighborhoods are leading the way toward cleaner, more affordable energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’re not ready to pay for solar upfront, Palmetto offers an alternative through LightReach — a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) available to Georgia Power customers in Augusta. With a PPA, you don’t own the system. Instead, you agree to purchase the electricity your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour. Because solar output varies by season, your monthly bill will be slightly higher in summer (when production peaks) and lower in winter — but your annual savings are comparable to a fixed lease.
The key advantage over a cash purchase? No large upfront investment, no loan to manage, and no maintenance responsibilities. Palmetto owns and maintains the system throughout the agreement, so if something needs attention, it’s handled for you. You simply pay for the clean energy your panels produce — typically at a rate below what you’d pay the utility.
It’s worth noting that LightReach availability in Georgia depends on your utility provider. Augusta residents served by Georgia Power are eligible for a PPA through Palmetto’s LightReach program. If you’re unsure which option fits your situation, this guide comparing buying vs. leasing solar is a helpful place to start.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes good sense for most Augusta homeowners. The area receives an average of 5.2 peak sun hours per day, and Georgia electricity rates have risen 13% since 2021 — giving residents a real opportunity to reduce their monthly energy costs. A typical Augusta home could save an estimated $47,000 over 25 years.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach lease removes that barrier entirely — homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with payments starting as low as $79/month.
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 your home uses directly avoids purchasing electricity at the retail rate (~14¢/kWh). Any excess electricity exported to the grid earns a credit of approximately 8.5¢/kWh in 2024 — applied monthly with no annual true-up.
Because the export credit rate is well below the retail rate, Augusta homeowners benefit most by maximizing self-consumption — using the solar energy your panels produce directly in your home, rather than sending it to the grid.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Augusta. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $300,000 home in Augusta, that could mean roughly $12,300 in added value.
It’s worth noting that this benefit typically applies to owned systems, not leased panels. If you purchase your solar system outright, the added home value is generally recognized by buyers and appraisers in the Augusta market.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Augusta homeowners can go solar for a low fixed monthly payment starting around $79/month — with no upfront cost and no maintenance responsibilities.
If you prefer to own your system, a typical Augusta home requires an 8.93 kW system priced around $24,814. Note that the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For Augusta homeowners, solar can make strong financial sense — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, your monthly payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you start saving from day one with no upfront investment required.
Augusta’s 5.2 peak sun hours per day and rising Georgia electricity rates (up 13% since 2021) strengthen the financial case. A typical Augusta home could save an estimated $47,000 over 25 years — making solar a practical long-term energy decision.
Palmetto is a strong choice for Augusta homeowners considering solar. We’ve completed 2,471 installations across Georgia since 2020 and bring a national network with deep local experience. Our install team knows the Augusta market — from Georgia Power interconnection to local permitting.
We also offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease with no upfront cost and payments starting as low as $79/month. Whether you’re looking to lease or purchase, we make going solar straightforward and transparent.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Augusta homeowners can go solar for no upfront cost. Palmetto owns the system and covers installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee — all in one simple monthly payment. For a typical 8.93 kW system in Augusta, that’s approximately $100/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage not available with cash purchases. Most Augusta homeowners find their lease payment is less than their current electricity bill, so savings start immediately.