Home Solar in Georgia: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar in Georgia
Georgia electricity prices have risen 18% from 2020 to 2024, and homeowners across the state are looking for ways to take back control of their energy bills. Solar installation is one of the most effective ways to do exactly that — and Georgia’s year-round sunshine makes it a particularly smart fit.
Palmetto has helped thousands of Georgia homeowners make the switch with confidence. This guide covers everything you need to know about solar panels for your home in Georgia — how the process works, what to expect, and what you could realistically save.
GEORGIA by the Numbers
39th Most residential solar in the United States
11k Households have installed solar panels
5.1 Average daily peak sun hours
~$46k Georgia average savings over 25 years
Georgia Solar Panel Cost
Wondering what solar actually costs in Georgia? This calculator uses real Palmetto installation data from cities across the state — Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, and beyond — to show you personalized estimates. See both your monthly lease payment through our no-upfront-cost LightReach program and a cash purchase option, side by side.
LeaseCash Purchase
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home in Georgia.
Recommended System
9.13 kW
Typical for your home size in GA
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach
$102/mo
As low as
$102/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
System Cost
$25,329
Cost Per Watt
$2.77/W
Final Cost
$25,329
Savings
Your total financial benefit
Monthly Savings
Average utility bill reduction
$106
Payback Period
Break-even point
15.8 years
25-Year Savings
$46,433
Palmetto Reviews
So far my experience has been great. There was a bit of a delay on install, but not a big deal as I wasn’t charged early or anything. In the Fall, my electric bill is usually around $200, now it’s around $50.
Stephen Jones
Harlem, Georgia
The guys did a very neat and professional installation. It did not take away from the overall look of the house and they completed the installation on time with what appeared to be a minimum amount of difficulty. I would highly recommend Palmetto for Solar installations.
Joel Gerbers
Talking Rock, Georgia
My experience with Palmetto Solar was incredible. My salesman, Brandon, was informative, but not pushy. He answered every question I had. The installation crew was incredible. They introduced themselves to me and they explained the installation process to me. The professionalism, concern, and customer service they provided was awesome and more companies need to take Palmetto’s lead on how to do business to result in happy customers.
James B
Buford, Georgia
Read More Reviews Calculate Your Savings
Key Takeaways
Georgia electricity prices have risen 18% since 2020, making solar a smart way to take back control of your energy bill.
Palmetto’s LightReach program lets you go solar with no upfront cost — we own the system, handle all maintenance, and back it with a 90% Production Guarantee.
Georgia homeowners can save an estimated $46,000 over 25 years, plus benefit from state tax exemptions and utility rebates that lower your costs even further.
Georgia Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Georgia have been climbing — and there’s no sign they’ll stop anytime soon.
Georgia’s average electricity rate rose from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024 — a 12.8% increase in just four years. That adds up on every monthly bill.
Solar panels let homeowners generate their own electricity, reducing how much they buy from the grid. The more you produce at home, the less exposed you are to utility rate increases you can’t control.
Through Palmetto’s LightReach program, homeowners can go solar with no upfront cost and lock in a low fixed monthly rate. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so you get stable energy costs without the hassle.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
0¢
10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
12.5¢
15.0¢
13.8¢
16.0¢
13.7¢
16.5¢
14.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Georgia
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Form 861
Georgia Area Utility Providers
Georgia homeowners are served by several utility providers, each with different electricity rates. Based on 2023 data, rates range from 11.7¢ to 14.6¢ per kWh — all below the national average of 16.0¢.
Georgia Power charges the most at 14.6¢/kWh, while Cobb EMC is the lowest at 11.7¢/kWh. Most co-ops — like Jackson EMC, GreyStone, and Sawnee EMC — fall between 12.0¢ and 12.6¢, just under Georgia’s 2023 state average of 13.7¢.
Even though Georgia’s rates sit below the national average today, electricity prices have climbed steadily over time. Solar can help lock in more predictable energy costs — regardless of which utility serves your home.
Georgia Utilities Electricity Rates
| Provider | Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Cobb EMC | 11.70¢ | -27% |
| Georgia Power | 14.60¢ | -9% |
| GreyStone Power | 12.00¢ | -25% |
| Jackson EMC | 12.00¢ | -25% |
| Sawnee EMC | 12.60¢ | -21% |
| Snapping Shoals EMC | 12.40¢ | -22% |
| Walton EMC | 13.40¢ | -16% |
| GA Average | 13.70¢ | -14% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | — |
Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861, Table 6
Georgia Solar Incentives
Georgia homeowners have access to a range of solar incentives in Georgia — including state tax exemptions and utility rebates — that can meaningfully reduce the cost of going solar.
Georgia exempts solar equipment from the state’s 4% sales tax and protects homeowners from higher property tax bills after installation. Several local utilities — including Georgia Power, Jackson EMC, and Central Georgia EMC — offer additional rebates and bill credit programs.
Note: The federal 30% residential solar tax credit was eliminated by the Big Beautiful Bill. State and utility incentives still apply. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto handles the commercial tax credit and passes savings through via lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Power Solar Buy Back Program (Net Billing) | Net Metering | Georgia Power customers with rooftop solar can export excess electricity to the grid and receive monthly bill credits at approximately 7.2¢/kWh under the RNR Instantaneous Netting tariff. | Learn More |
| Georgia Property Tax Exemption for Solar | Property Tax Exemption | Georgia exempts the added value of a solar energy system from property tax assessment, so installing solar will not increase your annual property tax bill. | Learn More |
| Georgia Sales Tax Exemption for Solar Equipment | Sales Tax Exemption | Georgia exempts solar energy equipment from the state’s 4% sales tax, reducing the upfront cost of a solar installation, though local county sales taxes may still apply. | |
| Central Georgia EMC Residential Solar Rebate | Rebate | Central Georgia EMC offers residential member-owners a one-time cash rebate of $450 per kilowatt of installed solar PV capacity, up to a maximum of $4,500 for a 10 kW system. | Learn More |
| Jackson EMC Right Choice Sun Power Rebate Program | Rebate | Jackson EMC offers residential members a one-time cash rebate of $450 per kilowatt DC of installed solar capacity, up to a maximum of $4,500 for a 10 kW system, plus a separate $525 rebate for solar water heaters. | Learn More |
| Sawnee EMC Residential Solar Rebate | Rebate | Sawnee EMC offers residential customers a one-time solar rebate of $300 per kilowatt of installed PV capacity, up to a maximum of $3,000 for a 10 kW system. | Learn More |
| GreyStone Power Solar Rebate Program | Rebate | GreyStone Power offers one-time cash rebates to residential members who install solar PV systems, with funding allocated on a first-come, first-served basis — contact GreyStone Power directly for current amounts and availability. | |
| Cobb EMC Energy Network Solar & Battery Storage Program | Rebate | Cobb EMC’s Energy Network program, relaunched in early 2026, offers rebates for solar-paired upgrades and battery storage, including a Peak Shaving demand-response initiative that compensates members for dispatching home batteries during peak grid demand. | Learn More |
| Green Power EMC Community Solar Program | Rebate | Sixteen Georgia electric cooperatives participate in the Green Power EMC community solar network, allowing members to subscribe to shared solar farms and receive monthly bill credits based on actual solar output — no rooftop installation required. | Learn More |
| Central Georgia EMC Home Plus Energy Efficiency Loan Program | Rebate | Central Georgia EMC members can access below-market financing for solar installations through the Residential Energy Efficiency Home Plus Loan Program. | Learn More |
| GEFA Solar Program for Government & Public Schools | Rebate | The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) provides rebates of up to 50% of solar installation costs (maximum $50,000) exclusively to Georgia cities, counties, and K-12 public schools for systems up to 60 kW. | Learn More |
| USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) | Tax Credit | The USDA REAP program provides grants covering up to 50% of solar or battery storage project costs (up to $1 million) and guaranteed loans up to 75% for eligible rural small businesses and agricultural producers in Georgia — currently paused for new applications as of early 2026. | Learn More |
| Georgia Home Energy Rebates (GEFA / IRA) | Rebate | Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates program, administered by GEFA, provides households with incentives on eligible home energy improvements, with eligible households able to receive up to $16,000 in savings depending on income and expected energy savings. | Learn More |
| Federal 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit (Battery Storage) | Tax Credit | The federal 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit provides a 30% tax credit for battery storage systems (3 kWh or larger) installed in a primary or secondary residence, available through 2032 with no dollar cap. | Learn More |
Georgia Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Georgia’s warm climate, abundant sunshine, and long summer days make it a strong state for solar. Even occasional cloudy spells won’t hold back a well-designed system from generating meaningful energy year-round.
About the Data
This map shows average daily solar energy across Georgia based on historical data.
What the colors mean:
- Excellent solar potential (≥5.01 kWh/m²/day)
- Good solar potential
- Moderate solar potential (≤4.31 kWh/m²/day)
Key Facts:
- Values shown are daily averages
- Based on 18 years of satellite data
What Can the Average Georgia Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
- 43.6 kWh/day 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)
- 28.1 kWh/day 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
- 14093 kWh/year 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
Go Solar with LightReach — No Upfront Cost
For Georgia homeowners served by Georgia Power, Palmetto’s LightReach program is available as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). With a PPA, you pay a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the solar energy your system produces — rather than a fixed monthly amount...
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia have net metering?
Georgia does not have traditional net metering. Instead, Georgia Power — the state’s largest utility — offers the Solar Buy Back Program (RNR Instantaneous Netting). For 2026, residential customers receive credits for exported solar electricity at...
Do solar panels increase your home value in Georgia?
Yes — but only if you own the system outright. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them...
How much does it cost to go solar in Georgia?
With Palmetto’s LightReach program, Georgia homeowners can go solar for as low as $102/month — with no upfront cost...
What’s the best solar company in Georgia?
Palmetto Solar is a top choice for Georgia homeowners. We’ve completed 3,844 installations across Georgia since 2020 — from Atlanta to Savannah — with a trusted local install network and some of the best financing options in the industry...