Georgia Solar Guide 2025: Costs, Incentives & Utility Policies

Georgia might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think about solar power—that honor usually goes to California or Arizona. But here's what surprised me when I started digging into the numbers: Georgia has quietly become one of the more interesting solar markets in the Southeast. The state gets excellent sun exposure (217 sunny days in Atlanta), installation costs run below national average, and the competitive market in metro Atlanta means homeowners have plenty of installer options.

What Georgia lacks in state incentives, it makes up for in solar potential and economics that still work. The 30% federal tax credit does the heavy lifting, and for Georgia Power customers, net metering policies remain reasonable—at least for now. But the December 31, 2025 deadline is approaching fast, and Georgia homeowners who wait will miss out on thousands in savings.

I've talked to dozens of Georgia homeowners who've gone solar over the past two years. Their experiences—good and bad—inform this guide. Here's everything you need to know.

Solar Costs in Georgia

Georgia solar pricing runs below the national average, primarily due to competitive markets in metro Atlanta and strong installer density throughout the state. Labor costs are lower than coastal states, and the permitting process is relatively straightforward in most counties.

System Size	Before Credit	After 30% Federal
6 kW	$15,000-$17,400	$10,500-$12,180
8 kW	$20,000-$23,200	$14,000-$16,240
10 kW	$25,000-$29,000	$17,500-$20,300

These prices reflect typical installations in metro Atlanta. Rural areas may run slightly higher due to travel costs, while high-competition areas like Alpharetta, Marietta, and Decatur often see the lowest prices.

Georgia Solar Incentives

Federal Investment Tax Credit: 30%

The federal tax credit is the primary incentive for Georgia homeowners. You deduct 30% of your total solar installation cost—equipment, labor, permits, and battery storage—directly from your federal income taxes.

On a typical $22,000 system, that's $6,600 back. On a larger $28,000 system with battery backup, you're looking at $8,400 in tax savings.

Critical deadline: The 30% credit expires for residential installations on December 31, 2025. Your system must be fully installed and operational by that date. There is no extension currently planned, and after 2025, the residential credit drops to 0%.

No State Tax Credit

Georgia does not offer a state-level solar tax credit. This is disappointing compared to neighboring states like South Carolina (which offers 25%), but Georgia makes up for it with lower installation costs and other exemptions.

Property Tax Exemption (100%)

Solar equipment is completely exempt from property tax assessment in Georgia. This is significant. A $25,000 solar system adds value to your home but won't increase your property taxes. Over 25 years, this exemption saves Georgia homeowners thousands of dollars compared to states without it.

Sales Tax Exemption

Georgia exempts solar equipment from the state's 4% sales tax. Local taxes may still apply depending on your county, but the state exemption provides $600-$1,200 in automatic savings on a typical installation.

Georgia Power: Net Metering and Solar Programs

Georgia Power serves approximately 2.7 million customers across most of the state, including the Atlanta metro area. Their solar policies are crucial for the majority of Georgia homeowners.

Net Metering Program

Georgia Power offers net metering for residential systems up to 25 kW. Here's how it works:

• Credit rate: Full retail rate for excess electricity sent to the grid
• Monthly rollover: Unused credits carry forward each month
• Annual true-up: At year-end, excess credits are paid out at avoided cost (approximately $0.03-$0.04/kWh)
• Capacity limit: Program has an overall capacity cap, though space remains available as of late 2024

The net metering program is first-come, first-served. If you're considering solar, applying for net metering soon protects your spot.

Solar Buyback Program

Georgia Power also offers a Solar Buyback Program as an alternative to net metering. Instead of credits, they pay you directly for electricity production at a fixed rate (currently around $0.09-$0.11/kWh depending on the program tier).

For most homeowners, traditional net metering provides better value, but the Solar Buyback can be attractive if you produce significantly more than you consume or if net metering capacity is full.

Time-of-Use Rates

Georgia Power offers optional time-of-use (TOU) rate plans. Peak hours (2-7 PM weekdays in summer) cost more; off-peak hours cost less. Solar produces most during peak hours, which can maximize the value of your production.

Ask your installer to model both standard rates and TOU rates to see which provides better savings for your usage pattern.

Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs)

Georgia has 41 Electric Membership Cooperatives serving rural areas and some suburban communities. Solar policies vary dramatically by EMC—some are quite solar-friendly, while others offer minimal or no support.

Solar-Friendly EMCs

Several Georgia EMCs have embraced solar with programs that rival or exceed Georgia Power's:

• Cobb EMC: Offers net metering at full retail rate for systems up to 10 kW
• Jackson EMC: Net metering program with monthly credit rollover
• Coweta-Fayette EMC: Solar interconnection program with reasonable terms
• Central Georgia EMC: Net metering for residential systems

Less Solar-Friendly EMCs

Other EMCs have restrictive policies or limited solar programs. Some only credit excess production at wholesale rates (around $0.03/kWh), which significantly impacts solar economics.

Always contact your EMC directly before signing a solar contract. Ask specifically about net metering rates, system size limits, and any capacity caps. Policies change, and some EMCs are more flexible than their published rules suggest.

Municipal Utilities

Cities including Marietta, Lawrenceville, Thomasville, and others operate municipal utilities with their own policies. These are generally less solar-friendly than Georgia Power, with more limited net metering or no formal solar programs.

If you're served by a municipal utility, get quotes anyway—solar can still make sense depending on your specific situation and what programs exist.

What Solar Produces in Georgia

Georgia receives excellent solar resources. Atlanta averages 217 sunny days per year, and south Georgia gets even more sun. The state averages 4.5-5.0 peak sun hours daily.

Typical annual production by system size:

• 6 kW system: 7,800-8,400 kWh annually
• 8 kW system: 10,400-11,200 kWh annually
• 10 kW system: 13,000-14,000 kWh annually

An 8 kW system produces enough electricity to offset the average Georgia home's annual usage of 10,000-12,000 kWh.

Real Georgia Homeowner Stories

David and Karen, Roswell (Georgia Power)

"We installed a 9.2 kW system in April 2024. Cost us $24,500 before the tax credit, so about $17,150 net. Our electric bill went from $185/month to basically the $14 connection fee. We're saving around $170/month. At this rate, payback is about 8.5 years, and the panels are warrantied for 25. It was a no-brainer."

David's advice: "Get multiple quotes. Our first quote was $32,000 for the same system size. Shopping around saved us $7,500."

Michelle, Canton (Cherokee EMC)

"I was worried about going solar with an EMC instead of Georgia Power. But Cherokee EMC has decent net metering—not as good as Georgia Power, but workable. I installed 7 kW for $19,800 after credits. My bill dropped from $140 to about $25. The payback is longer than Georgia Power territory—maybe 11 years—but I plan to be here 20+ years. It works for me."

Robert, Savannah (Georgia Power)

"Down here in Savannah, we get even more sun than Atlanta. My 8.5 kW system produced 12,200 kWh last year, which was 15% above the estimate. I'm actually overproducing, which means I get that year-end check from Georgia Power. It's only about $50, but I take it as a win."

System details: $23,000 before credit, $16,100 net. Annual savings: $1,580. Payback: 10.2 years.

The Atlanta Metro Market

The Atlanta metropolitan area is Georgia's solar hotspot. High population density, numerous installer options, and mostly Georgia Power service territory create competitive conditions.

Advantages of Metro Atlanta Solar

• Competitive pricing: Dozens of installers compete for business, driving prices down
• Fast permitting: Most counties have streamlined solar permits (1-2 weeks typical)
• Georgia Power net metering: The most solar-friendly utility in the state
• Experienced installers: Many companies with hundreds of local installations

Considerations for Atlanta Homeowners

• Tree coverage: Atlanta's tree canopy is beautiful but creates shading challenges. Get a thorough shade analysis before committing.
• HOA restrictions: Many metro Atlanta neighborhoods have HOAs. Georgia law protects solar rights, but HOAs can set reasonable aesthetic guidelines. Communicate early.
• Older homes: Intown neighborhoods often have older roofs and smaller electrical panels. Budget for potential upgrades.

Common Mistakes Georgia Homeowners Make

Not Checking EMC Policies First

I've talked to homeowners who signed solar contracts, then discovered their EMC only credits excess production at $0.03/kWh. That changes the economics completely. Verify your utility's policies before you sign anything.

Ignoring Tree Shading

Georgia has beautiful trees. Those trees often shade roofs. A tree that causes 10% shading today might cause 25% shading in five years as it grows. Get a detailed shade analysis and consider your landscaping plan.

Choosing Based on Price Alone

The cheapest quote isn't always the best value. Look at equipment quality, installer reputation, warranty terms, and after-sale support. A $2,000 savings on installation can evaporate quickly if your installer goes out of business or uses lower-quality panels.

Waiting Too Long for the Tax Credit

I hear it constantly: "I'll wait until next year" or "I want prices to drop more." Prices have largely stabilized. The 30% federal tax credit expires December 31, 2025. On a $22,000 system, that's $6,600 in savings that simply won't exist in 2026.

Georgia Installation Timeline

Typical timeline for Georgia solar installations:

Week 1-2: Site assessment, system design, and contract signing. Installer evaluates your roof, electrical panel, and shading, then creates a custom design.

Week 3-4: Permitting. Most Georgia counties approve solar permits within 1-2 weeks. Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties are generally efficient.

Week 5: Installation. Most residential systems install in 1-2 days.

Week 6-7: Inspection and utility approval. Building inspector reviews installation, then Georgia Power or your EMC conducts interconnection inspection and grants permission to operate.

Total timeline: 5-8 weeks. Start by September 2025 at the latest to ensure your system is operational before the December 31, 2025 tax credit deadline.

Is Georgia Solar Worth It Without State Incentives?

Yes—but you need to understand the math. Georgia's lack of state incentives extends payback periods compared to states like Massachusetts or New York. However, lower installation costs and good sun exposure compensate for missing state credits.

Here's a realistic calculation for an Atlanta-area home:

• System: 8 kW
• Installed cost: $22,000
• Federal credit (30%): -$6,600
• Net cost: $15,400
• Annual production: 10,800 kWh
• Georgia Power rate: $0.13/kWh
• Annual savings: $1,404
• Simple payback: 11.0 years
• System lifespan: 25+ years
• Post-payback savings: 14+ years of free electricity

At $1,400/year in savings for 14+ years after payback, that's $19,600+ in total savings beyond your investment. Factor in rising electricity rates, and the actual savings will likely be significantly higher.

The Bottom Line

Georgia solar works despite limited state incentives. Competitive installation prices, excellent sun exposure, and the 30% federal tax credit combine to create reasonable 9-12 year payback periods. After that, you have 15+ years of essentially free electricity.

Your utility matters significantly. Georgia Power customers have the best net metering options. EMC customers need to verify their specific cooperative's policies before committing.

The federal tax credit expires December 31, 2025 for residential installations. That deadline is firm. If you're seriously considering solar, start getting quotes now. Allow 6-8 weeks for the full installation process, which means signing a contract by October 2025 at the latest.

Georgia may not have the flashiest solar incentives, but the economics still work. And once those panels are on your roof, generating free electricity from abundant Georgia sunshine, you won't care about what incentives you missed—you'll just enjoy watching your electric bill disappear.