Georgia's electricity prices average $0.12/kWh, below the national average of $0.14/kWh.
The average cost of a 5kW (equivalent to saving roughly a hundred trees a year) solar power system starts around $15,000 in Georgia. That system would pay for itself through energy savings within 9-12 years. System life can span well over 25 years, and savings will improve with inflation.
Georgia is the seventh most forested state in the contiguous United States at about 67%. Solar energy accounts for just 2% of Georgia's in-state net generation, nearly all of which can be attributed to utility-scale solar photovoltaics. Just one eighth of the Peach State's solar power came from rooftop or privately owned solar power systems. This low and slow growth may be attributable to the state's lack of a Renewable Portfolio Standard.
While the state does not require net metering, Georgia Power will buy excess power for below retail cost. As a result Georgia has one of the longer solar payback periods of any state, from 9-12 years for an average-size array. Solar power is still an excellent investment in Georgia, where over the system's life of 25 or more years you can save more than twice the up-front cost of the system.
Under the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority's (GEFA) Georgia Solar Program cities, counties, and public schools can qualify for up to 50% or $50,000 reimbursement for the cost of design, materials, and installation of rooftop photovoltaic solar power systems of up to 60kW. The program is offered as an alternative to the federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which cannot apply to for-profit entities.
In addition to peak sun hours, shading, panel orientation, and panel angle can all influence how much electricity your solar panels can produce. Check our our solar calculators to learn more.
Data from DSIRE. For more info visit: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Name | Implementing Sector | Program Type | Administrator | DSIRE ID |
---|---|---|---|---|
Solar Easements | State | Solar/Wind Access Policy | 10 | |
Net Metering | State | Net Metering | 574 | |
Interconnection Guidelines | State | Interconnection | 782 | |
Biomass Sales and Use Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive | Georgia Department of Revenue | 1952 |
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Construction Standards for Public Buildings | State | Energy Standards for Public Buildings | 2953 | |
Chamblee - LEED Requirement for Private and Public Buildings | Local | Building Energy Code | 3035 | |
City of Chamblee - LEED Requirement for Public and Commercial Buildings | Local | Energy Standards for Public Buildings | 3049 | |
Local Option - Special Improvement Districts | State | PACE Financing | Programs administered locally | 4177 |
Jackson EMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Utility | Rebate Program | Jackson Electric Membership Corporation | 5236 |
Satilla REMC - HomePlus Loan Program | Utility | Loan Program | 5244 | |
Georgia Power - Small Commercial Energy Efficiency Program | Utility | Rebate Program | 5450 | |
TVA - Solar Solutions Initiative | Utility | Performance-Based Incentive | 5616 | |
Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative | Utility | Performance-Based Incentive | 5781 | |
Georgia Power - EnergyDirect | Utility | Energy Analysis | EnergyDirect | 14962 |
Cartersville Electric System - Free Energy Audits | Utility | Energy Analysis | Cartersville Electric System | 14968 |
Griffin Electric Department - Electrotechnology Updates | Utility | Training and Information | Griffin Electric Department | 14969 |
Griffin Electric Department - Power Quality Audits | Utility | Energy Analysis | Griffin Electric Department | 14970 |
Cartersville Electric System - Technical Services and Support | Utility | Energy Analysis | Cartersville Electric System | 17097 |
Griffin Electric Department - Preconstruction Assistance | Utility | Training and Information | Griffin Electric Department | 17800 |
Jackson EMC - Commercial & Industrial Energy Services | Other | Energy Analysis | Jackson EMC | 17844 |
Rayle EMC - Energy Audits | Other | Energy Analysis | Rayle EMC | 18135 |
Carroll EMC - Energy Savings | Other | Training and Information | Carroll EMC | 19240 |
Flint EMC - Business Energy Advisor | Other | Energy Analysis | Flint EMC | 19242 |
Central Georgia EMC - Green Power EMC | Other | Other | Central Georgia EMC | 20155 |
Coweta-Fayette EMC - Green Power | Other | Other | Green Power EMC | 20336 |
Diverse Power - Green Power | Other | Other | Diverse Power | 21032 |
Georgia Power - Energy Tips | Utility | Training and Information | Georgia Power | 22000 |