Georgia
Solar in Georgia
Georgia homeowners are discovering solar energy as a smart solution to rising electricity costs. With electricity prices increasing 18% from 2020 to 2024, many residents are exploring solar panels for long-term savings.
Understanding your options is the first step toward making an informed decision. Our comprehensive guide to home solar panels covers everything you need to know about solar installation in Georgia.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia solar costs average $17,370 after tax credits for an 8.93 kW system that offsets 100% of typical home electricity usage.
- Georgia homeowners save approximately $45,416 over 25 years with solar panels while reducing dependence on rising electricity rates.
- Federal tax credits provide 30% savings on solar installation costs, with Georgia Power offering net billing for excess energy.
Solar Cost in Georgia
Our Georgia solar cost calculator uses real installation data from thousands of homes across Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, and other Georgia cities. Get personalized pricing based on actual local solar projects, not estimates.
System
Cost
Savings
Looking for More Detailed Georgia City Guides?
Explore our comprehensive solar guides for major cities across Georgia to find location-specific information on incentives, installers, and solar potential.
Georgia Electricity Prices
Understanding Georgia’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 13% increase over three years.
Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, helping homeowners reduce their dependence on the traditional power grid and monthly utility bills over time.
With electricity costs trending upward, solar systems can provide decades of predictable energy production, offering protection against future rate increases.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Georgia Area Utility Providers
Georgia’s major utility companies offer electricity rates generally below national averages. Based on 2023 data, most providers charge between 11.7¢ and 14.6¢ per kilowatt-hour.
These competitive rates stem from Georgia’s diverse energy mix, including nuclear, natural gas, and coal generation. However, utility costs continue rising due to infrastructure investments and fuel price fluctuations.
Solar panels can help stabilize your energy costs by reducing dependence on utility rates. Many Georgia homeowners find solar particularly valuable for long-term energy budget planning.
Georgia Utilities Electricity Rates
Georgia Solar Incentives
Georgia homeowners can reduce solar installation costs through federal tax credits and solar incentives in Georgia programs.
The federal solar investment tax credit allows you to deduct 30% of your solar system cost from your taxes. Georgia Power also offers net billing programs for solar customers.
These incentives can change over time. Research current programs thoroughly and consider acting promptly to maximize available benefits.
$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 wholesale rate for the solar energy you don’t use in your home. 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 exported to the grid, which includes 4.5 cents for avoided power costs plus an additional 4 cents. This rate changes annually – in 2023 it was 6.89 cents per kWh. The credits are applied directly to your monthly electric bill with no annual rollover or cash payments. Since there’s no rate lock-in period, you’ll always receive the current year’s export credit rate, which provides transparency but means your compensation can vary from year to year.
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 QuoteGeorgia Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Georgia’s humid subtropical climate and seasonal sun angles create unique solar conditions. Despite occasional clouds and storms, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production effectively.
What Can the Average Georgia Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Georgia
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to show you something exciting: your Georgia neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities near you have already made the switch to solar power.
Leasing Solar Panels
For Georgia homeowners, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through our LightReach program for customers served by Georgia Power. With a PPA, you pay a set price per kilowatt-hour for the solar energy your system produces, rather than a fixed monthly payment like traditional leases.
Unlike most solar financing options, LightReach centralizes everything into one inclusive price managed by Palmetto Finance. We design, install, and maintain your system with no upfront costs, including premium panels, inverters, permitting, and comprehensive project management.
Since we own the system, Palmetto handles all maintenance and service at no cost to you. We guarantee 90% production performance and provide comprehensive protection. This worry-free solar experience offers immediate savings without the responsibilities of ownership, making clean energy accessible to more Georgia families.
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 in Georgia for most homeowners. With electricity rates at 14.1¢/kWh and rising, solar systems offer strong financial returns through reduced utility bills.
Georgia homeowners save approximately $45,416 over 25 years with solar panels. The federal tax credit covers 30% of installation costs, and Georgia Power’s net billing program provides credits for excess energy production.
Georgia does not have traditional net metering. Most Georgia utilities offer net billing programs instead, which credit excess solar energy at wholesale rates rather than full retail rates.
Georgia Power pays approximately 8.5¢/kWh for exported solar energy in 2024, while most Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) offer similar net billing programs with rates typically between 3-5¢/kWh for excess production.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Georgia. Research shows solar installations can boost property values, with Zillow studies indicating a 4.1% average increase in home values nationwide.
Georgia homeowners benefit from this added value while enjoying reduced electricity costs. Solar panels represent a long-term investment that appeals to environmentally conscious buyers and those seeking lower utility bills.
Solar costs in Georgia average $17,370 after federal tax credits for an 8.93 kW system that covers typical home electricity usage. Before incentives, systems cost approximately $24,814.
The 30% federal tax credit reduces costs by $7,444. Most Georgia homeowners see monthly savings of $103, with systems paying for themselves in about 11.8 years through reduced utility bills.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for most Georgia homeowners. With average savings of $45,416 over 25 years and monthly utility bill reductions of $103, solar systems typically pay for themselves in 11.8 years.
The 30% federal tax credit reduces upfront costs by $7,444, making the net investment $17,370 for a typical system. Rising electricity rates make solar’s long-term value even stronger.
As a national solar company with local expertise, we at Palmetto Solar are proud to serve Georgia homeowners with quality solar installations. We’ve completed over 2,471 installations across Georgia since 2020, building strong relationships with local communities.
Our comprehensive approach includes competitive financing options, experienced installation teams, and ongoing customer support. We focus on delivering reliable solar solutions that help Georgia families reduce their energy costs while supporting the clean energy transition.