Savannah, GA
Solar in Savannah
Savannah homeowners are discovering the benefits of home solar panels in Georgia’s historic coastal city. With electricity prices in Georgia increasing 18% from 2020 to 2024, solar power offers a sustainable solution for historic and modern homes alike.
Savannah’s generous sunshine and mild climate create ideal conditions for solar installation, helping residents reduce their carbon footprint while saving on monthly utility bills.
Key Takeaways
- Savannah’s abundant sunshine makes it an excellent location for solar, with systems producing up to 54 kWh per day in summer months.
- The 30% federal tax credit reduces the average cost of solar installation in Savannah by approximately $7,444.
- Solar panel systems in Savannah can save homeowners an estimated $46,115 over 25 years with current electricity rates.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the real cost of solar panel installation in Savannah, GA with our exclusive calculator. Using local data from our installations in Southside, Midtown, Pooler, and other Savannah neighborhoods, we provide accurate estimates tailored to your specific needs. No guesswork, just facts.
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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.
Savannah Electricity Prices
Savannah’s electricity costs are changing. Learn how solar panel installation can provide a smart, sustainable alternative for homeowners looking to manage energy expenses.
While Savannah’s electricity rates remain below the national average, they’ve still increased from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024 – a 12.8% jump that impacts household budgets.
Solar installation offers Savannah homeowners a way to lock in energy costs. By generating your own electricity, you’re less vulnerable to utility rate increases that have affected Georgia residents.
The long-term value is clear: while electricity rates continue their upward trend, solar panels provide consistent, clean energy for 25+ years, turning Savannah’s abundant sunshine into lasting financial benefits.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Savannah Area Utility Providers
Savannah residents primarily rely on Georgia Power for electricity, which charged 14.6¢ per kWh in 2023. This rate was higher than Georgia’s state average of 13.70¢ but lower than the national average of 16.0¢.
Georgia Power’s rates in Savannah reflect regional infrastructure costs and energy demand patterns. While residents pay more than the state average, they benefit from costs below the national average due to Georgia’s diverse energy generation mix.
With stable sunshine year-round, Savannah homeowners can leverage solar energy to protect against future utility rate increases. Solar installation offers predictable energy costs while reducing dependence on traditional electricity sources.
Savannah Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Savannah residents can offset solar installation costs with solar incentives in Georgia, including federal tax credits and state programs designed to make renewable energy more affordable.
The federal Investment Tax Credit offers substantial savings, while Georgia Power’s Net Billing program compensates homeowners for excess solar energy produced, though at a reduced rate compared to retail electricity prices.
These incentives can change over time, so research thoroughly and act promptly to maximize your savings. Consulting with solar experts ensures you understand all available benefits for your Savannah home.
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 solar homeowners a way to receive credit for excess electricity their systems produce. Unlike traditional net metering, this program doesn’t provide a 1:1 credit for exported energy. Instead, when your solar panels generate electricity, you’ll first use that power in your home (avoiding retail electricity costs), and any excess electricity sent back to the grid receives a credit at a lower rate.
For 2024, Georgia Power values exported electricity at approximately 8.5¢ per kilowatt-hour (up from 6.89¢ in 2023). This rate combines the avoided cost of power (4.5¢) plus an additional 4¢ incentive. These credits are applied to your current month’s bill, with no annual true-up period. It’s important to note that the credit rate changes annually, and customers receive the current value as there is no rate lock-in period.
This program is available to Georgia Power residential customers who install solar panels on their property. There are no specific capacity limits mentioned in the program details, but homeowners should consult with Georgia Power about interconnection requirements before installation.
When considering this incentive, remember that the value of exported electricity is significantly lower than retail electricity rates. This means sizing your system appropriately to match your household consumption patterns can maximize your savings. Since credits are settled monthly rather than annually, you won’t be able to build up excess credits during sunny months to offset higher usage in other seasons.
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 abundant sunshine, mild winters, and humid summers create favorable conditions for solar energy. Despite occasional thunderstorms, proper system design ensures excellent year-round solar production in this coastal Georgia city.
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 Installations in Savannah
Discover how Savannah is embracing solar energy! We’ve mapped every solar installation in your area, revealing neighborhoods leading the clean energy transition. Explore our interactive heatmap to see how many of your neighbors have already made the switch to sustainable power.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Savannah, Georgia Power customers have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through Palmetto’s LightReach program. With a PPA, you’ll pay for the electricity your solar panels generate at a set price per kilowatt-hour instead of paying a fixed monthly fee like with a lease.
This option allows you to go solar with zero upfront costs, while Palmetto handles all maintenance, monitoring, and repairs. You’ll start saving immediately on your energy bills without worrying about installation costs or system upkeep.
For Savannah residents served by Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) like Coastal EMC, the LightReach program is not currently available, but traditional purchase options with attractive financing still provide excellent long-term savings and energy independence.
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 Savannah, GA. With abundant sunshine (5.5 hours of peak sunlight daily) and electricity rates rising 12.8% since 2021, solar offers significant financial benefits.
The 30% federal tax credit reduces installation costs substantially, and homeowners can save an estimated $46,115 over 25 years. Savannah’s climate is ideal for solar production, with systems generating up to 54 kWh daily during summer months.
Savannah does not have traditional net metering. Georgia Power offers a Net Billing program where excess energy exported to the grid is valued at approximately 8.5¢/kWh in 2024 (up from 6.89¢ in 2023). This rate combines the avoided cost of power (4.5¢) plus an additional 4¢ incentive.
Some Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) like Cobb EMC and Flint EMC offer monthly net metering, while others provide varying export credit rates. All utilities settle credits monthly rather than annually.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Savannah. According to Zillow research, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
For Savannah’s median home value, this translates to a potential increase of $8,000-$12,000. This premium reflects both the energy savings and growing buyer interest in sustainable features in Georgia’s coastal region.
In Savannah, a typical solar installation costs between $17,370-$21,104 after applying the 30% federal tax credit. This price range covers medium to large home systems (8.93-11.05 kW).
Factors affecting cost include system size, roof complexity, equipment quality, and installation company. Most Savannah homeowners see complete payback within 11-12 years through utility bill savings.
Yes, solar is financially worthwhile in Savannah. With Georgia’s abundant sunshine and rising electricity rates (up 12.8% since 2021), homeowners can save approximately $46,115 over 25 years on a medium-sized system.
The 30% federal tax credit significantly reduces upfront costs, and most systems reach payback within 11-12 years. While Georgia lacks traditional net metering, solar still provides long-term financial stability against future utility rate increases.
As a national company with strong local presence in Georgia, Palmetto stands out as Savannah’s premier solar installer. We’ve completed over 2,470 installations across Georgia since 2020, demonstrating our commitment to the region.
Our comprehensive approach includes industry-leading financing options, an extensive installation network, and complete system monitoring. We handle every aspect of going solar, making the transition simple and beneficial for Savannah homeowners.