Savannah, GA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Savannah
Savannah homeowners are discovering that solar energy offers a smart path to energy independence. With Georgia electricity prices jumping 18% from 2020 to 2024, more residents are exploring how solar panels for home use can help stabilize their monthly costs.
This guide covers everything you need to know about solar installation in Savannah, GA—from understanding local incentives to choosing the right system for your home.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Savannah, GA?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Savannah neighborhoods like Ardsley Park, Wilmington Island, and Southside to show you accurate solar costs. See what homeowners across the area actually paid—no estimates, just transparent pricing from actual local installations.
System
Cost
Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Savannah receives 5.2 peak sun hours daily making solar panels highly effective year-round, even with coastal humidity and summer storms.
- A typical 10 kW system generates over 14,000 kWh annually which can offset your entire electricity bill and save approximately $46,000 over 25 years.
- Georgia Power’s Net Billing program credits excess solar production helping reduce monthly bills while you produce clean energy for your home.
Savannah Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Savannah helps you make informed decisions about your home’s energy future and long-term budget planning.
Georgia Power customers have seen electricity rates climb from 12.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024—a 13% increase in just three years that impacts every Savannah household’s monthly budget.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, allowing homeowners to produce their own power instead of buying it at rates that continue climbing. This shift gives you more control over your energy expenses.
Over a typical 25-year system lifespan, solar panels can shield your household from decades of utility rate increases, providing predictable energy costs while traditional electricity prices continue their upward trend.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Savannah Area Utility Providers
Georgia Power serves most Savannah residents with electricity rates of 14.6¢ per kWh in 2023. This sits above the state average of 13.70¢ but remains below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
Georgia Power’s rates reflect the company’s energy mix and infrastructure investments across the state. While lower than many coastal regions, these rates have steadily increased over recent years as utility companies adjust to rising operational costs.
Understanding your electricity costs helps you evaluate long-term energy options. Solar panels allow homeowners to generate their own power at a fixed cost, providing predictability as utility rates continue to change over time.
Savannah Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Installing solar in Savannah comes with financial benefits beyond energy savings. Georgia offers programs that help offset installation costs, making solar more accessible for local homeowners exploring solar incentives in Georgia.
The primary program available to Savannah residents is Georgia Power’s Net Billing system. This allows you to receive credit for excess electricity your panels generate, helping reduce your monthly utility bills while supporting Georgia’s clean energy grid.
These programs can change, so research current offerings carefully. Understanding what’s available today helps you make informed decisions about your solar investment in Savannah.
Georgia Power’s Net Billing program allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credits for excess electricity they send to the grid. Unlike traditional net metering, this program separates how your solar energy is valued: electricity you use immediately in your home offsets your regular electric bill at the full retail rate, while any excess energy exported to the grid is credited at a lower rate. As of 2024, exported electricity is valued at approximately 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which includes a 4.5-cent avoided cost of power plus an additional 4-cent credit.
The export credit rate changes annually and is not locked in, meaning the value you receive for exported energy will adjust each year based on Georgia Power’s calculations. All credits are applied to your current month’s bill with monthly settlement—there is no annual true-up period where excess credits carry forward. This means any value from your exported solar energy is calculated and applied within the same billing month. Homeowners should understand that while self-consumed solar energy provides the greatest financial benefit at the full retail rate, exported energy provides a more modest return at the current 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 QuoteSavannah 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.
Savannah’s coastal humidity and summer thunderstorms might seem challenging, but with ample sunshine year-round and proper system design, solar panels perform exceptionally well in Georgia’s climate.
Solar Production in Savannah 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 Savannah
We’ve mapped every solar installation across Savannah to help you explore which neighborhoods are going solar. Click any hexagon to see how many homes in that area have made the switch to clean energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
Savannah homeowners have flexible options for going solar. Georgia Power customers in Savannah can access Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through Palmetto’s LightReach program, which allows you to go solar with no upfront costs.
With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour—typically lower than Georgia Power’s current rates. This means you start saving immediately without the burden of system ownership, maintenance responsibilities, or large upfront investments. Your monthly payment adjusts with your production, so you pay less in winter and more in summer when your system generates the most power.
The alternative is purchasing your system outright, which requires significant capital and leaves you responsible for all maintenance and repairs. While you own the system, you also own all the risks. A PPA through LightReach transfers these responsibilities to Palmetto while still delivering immediate savings. Learn more about your financing options to find the best fit for your situation.
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 strong sense in Savannah. The city receives 5.2 peak sun hours daily, providing excellent conditions for solar energy production throughout the year. A typical 10 kW system generates over 14,000 kWh annually, which can offset your entire electricity bill.
With Georgia Power rates climbing 13% since 2021 and their Net Billing program crediting excess production, Savannah homeowners can save approximately $46,000 over 25 years. Solar panels provide predictable energy costs while protecting you from future utility rate increases.
Savannah does not have traditional net metering. Georgia Power offers a Net Billing program instead, which works differently from standard net metering policies.
With Net Billing, electricity you use immediately offsets your bill at the full retail rate (14.1¢/kWh). Excess energy exported to the grid receives a lower credit—approximately 8.5¢/kWh in 2024. This rate adjusts annually with monthly settlement, meaning credits don’t roll over year to year.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Savannah. Research from Zillow shows homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a median-priced Savannah home, this translates to thousands of dollars in added value.
Buyers recognize that solar panels provide immediate electricity savings and protection from rising utility rates. As Georgia Power rates continue climbing, homes with solar become increasingly attractive to potential buyers looking for predictable energy costs.
Solar installation costs in Savannah vary by home size. Based on actual local installations, a medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) typically needs an 8.93 kW system costing around $24,814 at $2.78 per watt. Smaller homes may need a 7 kW system starting around $20,000, while larger homes could require 11+ kW systems.
Your final cost depends on your roof characteristics, energy usage, and system design. Georgia Power’s Net Billing program helps offset these costs by crediting excess production, though the payback period averages 15.4 years for medium systems.
Solar is financially worth it for most Savannah homeowners. A typical system saves approximately $46,000 over 25 years with an average payback period of 15.4 years. After that point, your electricity is essentially free for the remaining system life.
Georgia Power’s Net Billing program credits excess production, helping reduce monthly bills. With electricity rates climbing 13% since 2021, solar panels protect you from future rate increases while providing predictable energy costs for decades.
We’re proud to serve Savannah homeowners with solar solutions that fit your needs. With over 2,471 installations completed across Georgia since 2020, we bring national resources with local expertise to every project.
Our approach combines flexible financing options with a trusted installation network, making solar accessible whether you choose to purchase or lease. We focus on transparent pricing and quality service throughout your solar journey.