Summary of Georgia solar incentives 2021
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
On this page, you can:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Georgia homeowners
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See what Georgia solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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Find out how much these incentives and/or Georgia solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Georgia
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% 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 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.
Net energy metering in Georgia
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.
Georgia solar rebates
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.
Cost of solar panels in your part of Georgia after all applicable solar incentives
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Prices based on a 12.1kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
9.6-11.7 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$38,834-$47,464
Average size system installed in GA in 2021
12.1kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Georgia
31 solar companies in Georgia provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.77 140 Reviews
Latest review
Kim , 4 days ago
RENU provided us great customer service, the process was simple & fantastic step by step support.
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Latest review
Kim , 4 days ago
RENU provided us great customer service, the process was simple & fantastic step by step support.
4.58 13 Reviews
Latest review
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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Latest review
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 25 Reviews
Latest review
Jeff Dickerson, over 1 month
I began with another company (Renu Energy) but wasn't happy. I looked for other quotes using EnergySage and went with South Coast Solar. So happy I did. The salesperson, Charro, was fantastic. If I asked her for something it was emailed to me within the hour. My wife and I are both lawyers so (of course) we made a lot of changes to the form contract - not a problem. The back office team (Ashley, et al) is equally good. When we had a delay with Duke, South Coast emailed me explaining the issue - and the resolution - before I could even ask the question. Installation went smoothly (two days) and looks great (Beau was the electrician and supervisor). Just passed inspection and currently waiting for Duke to swap out the meter. The cost was a little higher (maybe 2%) than Renu was quoting, but the panels are different/better. They have microinverters on each panel, rather then one big inverter mounted on the wall. The big difference being that the same company, SunPower, stands behind the warranty on the panels AND the inverters (because it's all one unit). No finger pointing between suppliers if something goes wrong. All in all, one of most customer-friendly companies I have ever dealt with. Could not recommend South Coast Solar more highly.
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Latest review
Jeff Dickerson, over 1 month
I began with another company (Renu Energy) but wasn't happy. I looked for other quotes using EnergySage and went with South Coast Solar. So happy I did. The salesperson, Charro, was fantastic. If I asked her for something it was emailed to me within the hour. My wife and I are both lawyers so (of course) we made a lot of changes to the form contract - not a problem. The back office team (Ashley, et al) is equally good. When we had a delay with Duke, South Coast emailed me explaining the issue - and the resolution - before I could even ask the question. Installation went smoothly (two days) and looks great (Beau was the electrician and supervisor). Just passed inspection and currently waiting for Duke to swap out the meter. The cost was a little higher (maybe 2%) than Renu was quoting, but the panels are different/better. They have microinverters on each panel, rather then one big inverter mounted on the wall. The big difference being that the same company, SunPower, stands behind the warranty on the panels AND the inverters (because it's all one unit). No finger pointing between suppliers if something goes wrong. All in all, one of most customer-friendly companies I have ever dealt with. Could not recommend South Coast Solar more highly.
Latest review
Shelly Aubuchon - TECO, over 1 month
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4.46 21 Reviews
Latest review
6.6 ME ground mount, over 1 month
Chris was our main contact and expert! We met with 3 other companies and quoted, by far, Southern View had the most expertise, answered many/all questions, and gave us the price for the whole system, ground mount, optimizers, Inverter 6.6 KW and went over our landscape plan and gave us a very competitive price! System is almost 4 years old and has had only one small problem. An optimized failed, was very quickly replaced and all is well, under my warranty. No charge! I get the panels washed twice a year, and they due an outstanding job at cleaning and checking over the system each time! I cannot recommend them any higher! Delivered on time, professionally installed, the crew was very attentive to wires, conduit, and wire chases and even the Ga Power inspector was impressed! I live near Atlanta, if any potential client would like to visit my site, tell Chris and we would be happy to show you around. Most importantly, everything they promised came out exactly like planned and I am a very anal person when it comes to big house projects!! With Federal tax deductions, power generated and sold, and reduction in over all power bill, I Should be breaking even in early 2020!!
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Latest review
6.6 ME ground mount, over 1 month
Chris was our main contact and expert! We met with 3 other companies and quoted, by far, Southern View had the most expertise, answered many/all questions, and gave us the price for the whole system, ground mount, optimizers, Inverter 6.6 KW and went over our landscape plan and gave us a very competitive price! System is almost 4 years old and has had only one small problem. An optimized failed, was very quickly replaced and all is well, under my warranty. No charge! I get the panels washed twice a year, and they due an outstanding job at cleaning and checking over the system each time! I cannot recommend them any higher! Delivered on time, professionally installed, the crew was very attentive to wires, conduit, and wire chases and even the Ga Power inspector was impressed! I live near Atlanta, if any potential client would like to visit my site, tell Chris and we would be happy to show you around. Most importantly, everything they promised came out exactly like planned and I am a very anal person when it comes to big house projects!! With Federal tax deductions, power generated and sold, and reduction in over all power bill, I Should be breaking even in early 2020!!
4.30 17 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
We definitely had some hiccups along the way, but overall we are very happy with our PV system. Adam Hoyt is a thorough planner, and a good advocate. Most of our issues had to do with work performed by a subcontractor, not AES itself. I believe that AES will learn from this experience and improve as a company.
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Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
We definitely had some hiccups along the way, but overall we are very happy with our PV system. Adam Hoyt is a thorough planner, and a good advocate. Most of our issues had to do with work performed by a subcontractor, not AES itself. I believe that AES will learn from this experience and improve as a company.
Latest review
Tom Wells, over 1 month
Great work by SOENSO<br />
4.17 4 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
We worked with Seth Gunning on our contract and he has been very helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive. He followed up with us and has met with us to explain all the components, helping us to make the right decision for our budget.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
We worked with Seth Gunning on our contract and he has been very helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive. He followed up with us and has met with us to explain all the components, helping us to make the right decision for our budget.
4.17 6 Reviews
Latest review
Carlos Armstead, over 1 month
the installer did an excellent job with the installation and were very friendly and professional. After the addition panels were installed my solar panels are producing the power that was expected and everything is working just fine!
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Latest review
Carlos Armstead, over 1 month
the installer did an excellent job with the installation and were very friendly and professional. After the addition panels were installed my solar panels are producing the power that was expected and everything is working just fine!
4.17 4 Reviews
Latest review
Frank Eghtesadi, over 1 month
Better Tomorrow Solar did our solar installation in a timely manner and delivered exactly what they promised. They went above and beyond to help us with the best possible option at the best price. We have saved on average over $80 a month. They may be new to the industry, but their team has been doing this work for a long time and are extremely knowledgable. They took their time explaining the product and the process to make sure we undrestand what we are getting. They are a mission driven company and truly believe in a sustainable world. We have already reached out to them for battery installation for the 1st part of the year. I highly recommend Better Tomorrow Solar.
Read more
Latest review
Frank Eghtesadi, over 1 month
Better Tomorrow Solar did our solar installation in a timely manner and delivered exactly what they promised. They went above and beyond to help us with the best possible option at the best price. We have saved on average over $80 a month. They may be new to the industry, but their team has been doing this work for a long time and are extremely knowledgable. They took their time explaining the product and the process to make sure we undrestand what we are getting. They are a mission driven company and truly believe in a sustainable world. We have already reached out to them for battery installation for the 1st part of the year. I highly recommend Better Tomorrow Solar.
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