Georgia Solar Panels

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 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.

Central Georgia EMC offers one of the most valuable solar incentives in the state: a one-time cash rebate of $450 per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar PV capacity for residential member-owners. The rebate applies to systems up to 10 kW in size, meaning the maximum rebate is $4,500. For a typical 6 kW residential system, this translates to $2,700 back after installation.

To qualify, your solar system must be grid-interconnected and net-metered through Central Georgia EMC, installed by a licensed contractor, and come with a manufacturer’s warranty of at least five years. The system must comply with all applicable building codes and the National Electrical Code. A $100 application fee is required to participate in the program, and the rebate is paid as a one-time incentive after installation is complete.

Rebate availability may be subject to funding limits, so it is strongly recommended that you contact Central Georgia EMC before beginning your installation to confirm the program is still accepting applications and to obtain the necessary application materials. Early application is advised to secure your spot in the program.

GreyStone Power, an electric membership cooperative serving portions of the Atlanta metropolitan area, offers a one-time solar rebate to its residential member-owners. The rebate is equal to $450 per kilowatt (kW) AC of installed solar capacity for systems up to 10 kW in size. For a typical 6 kW system, this represents up to $2,700 in savings on your installation cost, with a maximum rebate of $4,500 for a 10 kW system.

To be eligible, your solar PV system must be interconnected to the grid and net-metered through GreyStone Power. The system must be installed by a licensed contractor and meet all applicable electrical and building codes. The rebate is a one-time payment made after installation — it is not an ongoing bill credit.

Contact GreyStone Power directly before beginning your installation to confirm current program availability, funding status, and to obtain application materials. As with most utility rebate programs, funding may be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jackson EMC offers its residential member-owners the Right Choice Sun Power Rebate Program, providing a one-time cash rebate of $450 per kilowatt (kW) DC of installed solar capacity for systems up to 10 kW in size. This means a maximum rebate of $4,500 for a 10 kW system, or $2,700 for a typical 6 kW installation.

Eligibility requirements are more specific than some other EMC programs: the system must be installed by a contractor who is trained and certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and the system must be certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center. The system must also meet Jackson EMC’s interconnection and net metering requirements and receive pre-approval before installation begins.

As a bonus, Jackson EMC members who also install a solar water heater may qualify for a separate one-time rebate of $525. Contact Jackson EMC directly at www.jacksonemc.com to verify current program availability, confirm contractor requirements, and begin the pre-approval process before your installation.

Sawnee EMC, serving parts of Forsyth County and surrounding areas north of Atlanta, offers a one-time solar rebate of $300 per kilowatt (kW) to residential customers who install photovoltaic (PV) systems that meet the cooperative’s net metering guidelines. The rebate applies to systems up to 10 kW in capacity, for a maximum rebate of $3,000.

To qualify, your solar system must meet Sawnee EMC’s net metering requirements, which generally include grid interconnection, installation by a licensed contractor, and compliance with applicable electrical and building codes. The rebate is a one-time payment made after your system is installed and inspected.

Contact Sawnee EMC directly before beginning your installation to confirm the program is currently active, verify all eligibility requirements, and obtain the necessary application materials. Program funding may be limited, so early application is recommended.

Cobb EMC, serving northwest Georgia, has been a leader in exploring battery storage incentives for its residential member-owners. The cooperative has experimented with demand-response initiatives where members are compensated for dispatching their home battery storage systems during peak grid demand periods — a concept sometimes called a “Peak Shaving” program. These programs can provide meaningful financial value beyond a standard solar rebate.

Cobb EMC’s “Energy Network” incentive program, which previously offered rebates for solar-paired upgrades, was relaunched in early 2026 after high demand exhausted prior funding. The cooperative’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) also introduced specific programs to encourage “Solar Plus Storage” adoption among members.

Because program details, availability, and incentive amounts can change frequently, it is strongly recommended that you contact Cobb EMC directly and ask specifically about current battery storage incentives, Peak Shaving programs, and any solar rebates before beginning your installation. Even if a direct solar panel rebate is not available, battery incentives at Cobb EMC can be substantial.

Green Power EMC operates a Cooperative Community Solar Program available to members of 16 participating Georgia electric cooperatives, including Central Georgia EMC, Coastal Electric Cooperative, Coweta-Fayette EMC, Diverse Power, GreyStone Power, Habersham EMC, Jackson EMC, Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Middle Georgia EMC, Okefenoke REMC, Satilla REMC, Sawnee EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC, Sumter EMC, Tri-County EMC, and Walton EMC.

This program allows members to participate in solar energy without installing rooftop panels — ideal for renters, those with shaded roofs, or homeowners who prefer not to install equipment. Members subscribe to 1 kW blocks of community solar capacity. For example, Central Georgia EMC members can subscribe to a 1 kW block for approximately $19 per month, with each block producing an estimated 102–264 kWh monthly in bill credits.

To participate, contact your specific EMC to confirm block availability, current pricing, and subscription terms, as rates and availability may vary by cooperative. Visit www.greenpoweremc.com for program details and to find your participating cooperative.

Georgia Power offers a Community Solar Program that allows residential customers 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 USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), administered by USDA Rural Development, provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to eligible rural small businesses and agricultural producers in Georgia for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, including solar PV and battery storage. Grants can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs (up to $1 million), while guaranteed loans can cover up to 75%. Applicants may apply for both a grant and a loan for the same project.

To be eligible, applicants must be an agricultural producer or a small business located in an eligible rural area of Georgia. Residential homeowners who are not agricultural producers or rural small business owners do not qualify for this program. This makes REAP most relevant for Georgia farmers, rural contractors, or small business owners looking to offset the cost of commercial-scale solar or battery installations.

Important: As of early 2026, the USDA has paused acceptance of new REAP grant applications. Check the USDA Rural Development website at www.rd.usda.gov or contact your local Georgia USDA Rural Development office for the most current information on application windows and program status before planning your project around this funding source.

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 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.