There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
In late 2019, two pro-solar candidates for the Georgia Public Service Commission were defeated by establishment candidates. While that certainly was a setback for more progressive home solar policy here in Georgia, there's still a compelling case to install solar on your home. The returns are solid considering the level of sunshine blanketing the state over the year.
In 2021 and beyond, we'd like to see a much stronger push and debate in the Georgia state capitol for an updated renewable portfolio standard (RPS). That would compel utilities here to derive much more power from clean sources, like the solar panels on your rooftop. Usually, when strong RPS standards are in place, better solar power incentives follow.
There is still hope, depending on where you live and how much your power company is willing to pay for the clean electricity from your panels. Read on to find out all about the ins and outs of policy, incentives, and investment returns for home solar power in Georgia
Learn what solar incentives are available to Georgia homeowners
See what Georgia solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Georgia solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Georgia
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
A decision filed by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in Georgia Power's 2019 rate case requires Georgia Power to offer net metering with monthly netting to 5,000 rooftop solar customers or 32 MW of capacity, whichever comes first. Unfortunately that’s a pretty low target for net-metering capacity considering the size and population of the state.
This program is available under Georgia Power's Renewable & Nonrenewable Tariff (RNR). The utility maintains a web page with the most recent numbers of people and MW signed up under the RNR program.
Sadly, for the many Georgia residents who use Georgia Power, there isn’t a solar rebate available. However, if you live in areas served by the following utilities, you could potentially claim a small solar rebate.
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Prices based on a 12.1kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
40 solar companies in Georgia provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.71 216 Reviews
Carrie, over 1 month
When we got a quote for solar we made it clear that we did not want our power bill to be more than we were currently paying, because if it wasn’t going to save any money then what was the point after all. I understand that there is a cost with the panels but if we are generating our own power then our actual energy costs should be minimal or nonexistent. When the Renu rep came to the house to discuss the options (because there are several ways you can use the panels), he explained that some power companies will allow you to stay on their grid for a “facility fee” of $3.00/ kWp/month. For our home our system is 8.03 kWp, so I was thinking ok not too bad, roughly $24-$25/ month to stay on the grid and be able to still pull off the grid if we need to. This option was in leu of being strictly off the grid with batteries. The way it was explained is that we would sell our power we made to the power company (Energy United) for the same rate we would buy back the power we used. In essence if we made more than we used, it would go back as a credit on our account. This is how it was explained to us. We had this option or we could get the battery packs and disconnect from the grid. For us, this sounded like the best option. We agreed and actually had a second house installed with panels as well. It did take a while (like 3 months or so) to get all the paperwork and approvals before they actually scheduled an install date. The install was quick. They did both houses on the same day (one is across the road from the other) and were done shortly after lunch. It then took another month or so before we got the okay to actually activate the panels. (This was apparently due to something on Energy United’s end). When we finally got our first bill after activating the panels, it was a lot higher than we expected. It did not show where we had been given a credit for what we had made but there was that new facility charge. When I contacted Renu they said it was an Energy United problem. I spoke with the Energy United rep and they said they have 2 different options for solar with them (this had not been explained). The scenario I was sold on by the Renu rep was not what they signed me up for. I had never even been told about this other option. I was able to get Energy United to switch me to the option I had initially agreed to, but was told I could only change it once. So, the next bill comes after the corrections, and now there are all these extra fees. I am now being charged not only the “facility charge”, but also a “standby charge”. These fees for one property are $56.20 every month, regardless. The. There is tax and a renewable energy mandate. Before solar my power bills were usually around $70-$80 or less in the spring and fall and $130 a month in the summer (costs more to cool). Now, they also advertise a 26% tax credit and sell it like you’ll be getting 26% back of the purchase price in tax refund. They even discount the payments for 18 months to allow you to get that tax money back. You can then apply that to the loan to keep the payments the same or keep it and the payments go up. Well, you do not get 26% tax credit on solar. That is a flat out lie. We got like $1,300 credit for this system, which costs about $30,000 (without batteries!). I am now paying 2-3 times more with solar than I would if I had just stayed on the grid. I have even reached back out to Renu to see about adding the battery packs and getting off of Energy United’s grid (because if I’m going to be paying that much I might as well apply it to payments that may one day be paid off). I cannot get anyone to talk with me about just adding packs. They keep calling me to discuss adding a solar power system even after I’ve explained that I have ready been duped into but not one but TWO systems from them already. I was just looking at my power bill from this time last year with solar and even though I generated $65.97 worth of power and only used $24.13 worth, I still had to pay an additional $25.98 thanks to the fees Energy United added on. I very much was hoping this would be an economical and sustainable energy source, but it is not. Please make sure you contact the power company you are with first before you agree to staying on the grid. Do NOT rely on a Renu Energy representative to give you all the facts and details. If you’re power bill is <$150/ month on average, you are better off to stay where you are. Solar is NOT for you. At least not now anyways.
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Carrie, over 1 month
When we got a quote for solar we made it clear that we did not want our power bill to be more than we were currently paying, because if it wasn’t going to save any money then what was the point after all. I understand that there is a cost with the panels but if we are generating our own power then our actual energy costs should be minimal or nonexistent. When the Renu rep came to the house to discuss the options (because there are several ways you can use the panels), he explained that some power companies will allow you to stay on their grid for a “facility fee” of $3.00/ kWp/month. For our home our system is 8.03 kWp, so I was thinking ok not too bad, roughly $24-$25/ month to stay on the grid and be able to still pull off the grid if we need to. This option was in leu of being strictly off the grid with batteries. The way it was explained is that we would sell our power we made to the power company (Energy United) for the same rate we would buy back the power we used. In essence if we made more than we used, it would go back as a credit on our account. This is how it was explained to us. We had this option or we could get the battery packs and disconnect from the grid. For us, this sounded like the best option. We agreed and actually had a second house installed with panels as well. It did take a while (like 3 months or so) to get all the paperwork and approvals before they actually scheduled an install date. The install was quick. They did both houses on the same day (one is across the road from the other) and were done shortly after lunch. It then took another month or so before we got the okay to actually activate the panels. (This was apparently due to something on Energy United’s end). When we finally got our first bill after activating the panels, it was a lot higher than we expected. It did not show where we had been given a credit for what we had made but there was that new facility charge. When I contacted Renu they said it was an Energy United problem. I spoke with the Energy United rep and they said they have 2 different options for solar with them (this had not been explained). The scenario I was sold on by the Renu rep was not what they signed me up for. I had never even been told about this other option. I was able to get Energy United to switch me to the option I had initially agreed to, but was told I could only change it once. So, the next bill comes after the corrections, and now there are all these extra fees. I am now being charged not only the “facility charge”, but also a “standby charge”. These fees for one property are $56.20 every month, regardless. The. There is tax and a renewable energy mandate. Before solar my power bills were usually around $70-$80 or less in the spring and fall and $130 a month in the summer (costs more to cool). Now, they also advertise a 26% tax credit and sell it like you’ll be getting 26% back of the purchase price in tax refund. They even discount the payments for 18 months to allow you to get that tax money back. You can then apply that to the loan to keep the payments the same or keep it and the payments go up. Well, you do not get 26% tax credit on solar. That is a flat out lie. We got like $1,300 credit for this system, which costs about $30,000 (without batteries!). I am now paying 2-3 times more with solar than I would if I had just stayed on the grid. I have even reached back out to Renu to see about adding the battery packs and getting off of Energy United’s grid (because if I’m going to be paying that much I might as well apply it to payments that may one day be paid off). I cannot get anyone to talk with me about just adding packs. They keep calling me to discuss adding a solar power system even after I’ve explained that I have ready been duped into but not one but TWO systems from them already. I was just looking at my power bill from this time last year with solar and even though I generated $65.97 worth of power and only used $24.13 worth, I still had to pay an additional $25.98 thanks to the fees Energy United added on. I very much was hoping this would be an economical and sustainable energy source, but it is not. Please make sure you contact the power company you are with first before you agree to staying on the grid. Do NOT rely on a Renu Energy representative to give you all the facts and details. If you’re power bill is <$150/ month on average, you are better off to stay where you are. Solar is NOT for you. At least not now anyways.
4.58 13 Reviews
kicking it solar style, over 1 month
I started researching for a solar system for my house back in the spring after hearing that the federal incentive was about to expire in a year or 2. I've always been interested in residential solar power since it came out years ago but like alot of technology, the systems were so expensive back then. The fact that the panels have became better, more efficient & cheaper plus the fact of the federal incentive expiring finally made it affordable. After watching hundreds of vids on YouTube, & being 65 with health issues, I decided on getting some quotes from local installers as opposed to a DIY system like a many of the vids I had watched. Well long story short, I chose Mann Solar & I'm so glad I did. Nathan Mann was very easy to talk to about this business. He'd been doing it for several years & he answered all my questions without hesitation. He came up with a great solar package that best suited my house & my needs for a great price. I would highly recommend him & his company to anyone interested in solar power for their home or business.
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kicking it solar style, over 1 month
I started researching for a solar system for my house back in the spring after hearing that the federal incentive was about to expire in a year or 2. I've always been interested in residential solar power since it came out years ago but like alot of technology, the systems were so expensive back then. The fact that the panels have became better, more efficient & cheaper plus the fact of the federal incentive expiring finally made it affordable. After watching hundreds of vids on YouTube, & being 65 with health issues, I decided on getting some quotes from local installers as opposed to a DIY system like a many of the vids I had watched. Well long story short, I chose Mann Solar & I'm so glad I did. Nathan Mann was very easy to talk to about this business. He'd been doing it for several years & he answered all my questions without hesitation. He came up with a great solar package that best suited my house & my needs for a great price. I would highly recommend him & his company to anyone interested in solar power for their home or business.
4.51 143 Reviews
Steve Skapik , 1 day ago
I selected solar SME for my solar panel project. Everything progressed quickly and smoothly until final inspection by the county. It turns out that the previous home owner made some shady and out of code modifications to the electrical system that needed to be resolved before panels could get permitted to operate, PTO. At the time of the initial inspection, I specifically asked if the existing system was adequate for the pending installation and I was assured it OK. To be fair there was no problem with the Solar SME work but I felt misled and was facing additional costs to correct the previous owners work before the panels could be used. I was frustrated and quite mad. The problems were very obvious according to the county inspector and I should have been informed at the beginning of the project not at the end. In spite of my attitude, my project manager Cyril put up with my anger and kept pressing to get everything completed and operational to my satisfaction. Everything now is turned on and working well. Each day I check my power generation (hoping for sunny days) and my electric usage on nearly every day is less than the power I am sending back to the utility (negative electric bill). So, in total I’m satisfied with Solar SME but they get 5 stars only because of Cyril (ask for Cyril as your rep).
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Steve Skapik , 1 day ago
I selected solar SME for my solar panel project. Everything progressed quickly and smoothly until final inspection by the county. It turns out that the previous home owner made some shady and out of code modifications to the electrical system that needed to be resolved before panels could get permitted to operate, PTO. At the time of the initial inspection, I specifically asked if the existing system was adequate for the pending installation and I was assured it OK. To be fair there was no problem with the Solar SME work but I felt misled and was facing additional costs to correct the previous owners work before the panels could be used. I was frustrated and quite mad. The problems were very obvious according to the county inspector and I should have been informed at the beginning of the project not at the end. In spite of my attitude, my project manager Cyril put up with my anger and kept pressing to get everything completed and operational to my satisfaction. Everything now is turned on and working well. Each day I check my power generation (hoping for sunny days) and my electric usage on nearly every day is less than the power I am sending back to the utility (negative electric bill). So, in total I’m satisfied with Solar SME but they get 5 stars only because of Cyril (ask for Cyril as your rep).
4.47 1,736 Reviews
Jonathan Lowe, 4 days ago
I was quite pleased with my solar panel purchase from Blue Raven and overjoyed to hear they are now offering battery options as well. Getting set up for my solar batteries was a breeze. Chris Postin facilitated the process from start to finish and made things extremely easy. He was professional, courteous and more than happy to answer all of my questions. Looking forward to my install. Highly recommended!!!
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Jonathan Lowe, 4 days ago
I was quite pleased with my solar panel purchase from Blue Raven and overjoyed to hear they are now offering battery options as well. Getting set up for my solar batteries was a breeze. Chris Postin facilitated the process from start to finish and made things extremely easy. He was professional, courteous and more than happy to answer all of my questions. Looking forward to my install. Highly recommended!!!
Shelly Aubuchon - TECO, over 1 month
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4.45 43 Reviews
David H., over 1 month
I could not be happier with the system that South Coast Solar installed. From beginning to end, the entire process was fantastic. My sales rep, Rebekah, was terrific. She explained everything in detail and answered every question I had. Rebekah checked in multiple times to let me know where we were in the process and what came next. From the office staff to the install team, everyone was very friendly, knowledgeable and willing to answer any question I had. You can do your own research if you want, but after considerable time spent looking into solar panels, the SunPower panels are by far the best in performance, longevity and you cannot beat the warranty. My first Entergy bill after a full month of solar was $8.55. My only regret is not doing it sooner. If you're considering solar panels, call South Coast Solar, ask for Rebekah and you'll never look back. Thanks South Coast Solar and Rebekah for everything!
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David H., over 1 month
I could not be happier with the system that South Coast Solar installed. From beginning to end, the entire process was fantastic. My sales rep, Rebekah, was terrific. She explained everything in detail and answered every question I had. Rebekah checked in multiple times to let me know where we were in the process and what came next. From the office staff to the install team, everyone was very friendly, knowledgeable and willing to answer any question I had. You can do your own research if you want, but after considerable time spent looking into solar panels, the SunPower panels are by far the best in performance, longevity and you cannot beat the warranty. My first Entergy bill after a full month of solar was $8.55. My only regret is not doing it sooner. If you're considering solar panels, call South Coast Solar, ask for Rebekah and you'll never look back. Thanks South Coast Solar and Rebekah for everything!
4.44 21 Reviews
Nick, over 1 month
AES installed solar for my home, and also an EV car charger that has the option of only charging off of excess production from my array (i.e., no need to draw from the grid!). AES's support and service have been incredibly high-level. Their team is genuinely interested in providing a high level of service and ensuring everything works well. I had some hiccups with the EV charger, but the problem was with the equipment and the manufacturer; regardless, the AES team put long hours into it and completely fixed it, at no additional cost to me. You know the saying 'think globally, act locally'? I can't imagine going with a national company. AES is local, and they've been consistently there for me. A++++
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Nick, over 1 month
AES installed solar for my home, and also an EV car charger that has the option of only charging off of excess production from my array (i.e., no need to draw from the grid!). AES's support and service have been incredibly high-level. Their team is genuinely interested in providing a high level of service and ensuring everything works well. I had some hiccups with the EV charger, but the problem was with the equipment and the manufacturer; regardless, the AES team put long hours into it and completely fixed it, at no additional cost to me. You know the saying 'think globally, act locally'? I can't imagine going with a national company. AES is local, and they've been consistently there for me. A++++
4.38 7 Reviews
Jexum, over 1 month
Jacob and the Solar Pros’ team we’re excellent. Everything worked the way they said, and that includes costs, savings, dates, appearance, function etc. of our solar system. They cleaned up the worksite when finished, which some installers don’t bother doing. They treated our home like they would theirs. We are likely expanding our solar system next year, and we will be using Georgia Solar Pros to do so. We couldn’t have had a better experience. Highly recommended.
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Jexum, over 1 month
Jacob and the Solar Pros’ team we’re excellent. Everything worked the way they said, and that includes costs, savings, dates, appearance, function etc. of our solar system. They cleaned up the worksite when finished, which some installers don’t bother doing. They treated our home like they would theirs. We are likely expanding our solar system next year, and we will be using Georgia Solar Pros to do so. We couldn’t have had a better experience. Highly recommended.
Tom Wells, over 1 month
Great work by SOENSO<br />
4.23 22 Reviews
Andrew Lane, over 1 month
It has nearly been a year since we identified problems with our solar system which was installed almost 3 years ago! Almost brand new and a year into Solar one charge controller of 3 and the main interface pad have died! Scott Earp has been aware since the beginning and has still not repaired or replaced the faulty parts, In spite of promising to get it done over and over! I have asked and asked and asked, called and called and called and still nothing! To add insult to Injury I helped turn a neighbor to add more Solar with Southern Energy View last Summer and figured when Scott or his guys were installing that 8kW and a 10kWh Battery(I believe) and driving right past my house they would stop in for an hour or less and make the repair! Of course I was calling and texting Scott about just that to make sure he didn’t forget! Well he did and still here are are almost 5 months later still waiting for what must be a simple repair! I decided to write this and add one to the BBB too to get his attention and get it fixed! Our solar production looks to have dropped in half or more from Jackson EMCs bills! Who will repay is for that lost Solar I wonder?
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Andrew Lane, over 1 month
It has nearly been a year since we identified problems with our solar system which was installed almost 3 years ago! Almost brand new and a year into Solar one charge controller of 3 and the main interface pad have died! Scott Earp has been aware since the beginning and has still not repaired or replaced the faulty parts, In spite of promising to get it done over and over! I have asked and asked and asked, called and called and called and still nothing! To add insult to Injury I helped turn a neighbor to add more Solar with Southern Energy View last Summer and figured when Scott or his guys were installing that 8kW and a 10kWh Battery(I believe) and driving right past my house they would stop in for an hour or less and make the repair! Of course I was calling and texting Scott about just that to make sure he didn’t forget! Well he did and still here are are almost 5 months later still waiting for what must be a simple repair! I decided to write this and add one to the BBB too to get his attention and get it fixed! Our solar production looks to have dropped in half or more from Jackson EMCs bills! Who will repay is for that lost Solar I wonder?