Georgia Solar Power Facts in 2024
With 217 sunny days a year and high power bills, Georgia is the best place for any solar installation. As the price of solar panels dropped and installation costs and time got lower each year, more Georgia residents decided to go solar. Georgians like to power their homes through residential solar installations, as the growing solar industry shows.
Energy costs in Georgia are too high, as the GA state is in the top 10 in the USA by electric bills. It goes without saying that a solar panel system could significantly reduce this bill and save you money in the long run. Georgia Power is expensive, but a well-designed solar system can make the price of your energy bill go down significantly.
Georgia Solar Energy Data
With over $3.8 Billion in solar investments, Georgia solar panels rank 9th in the USA. Compare Georgia solar panels to solar panels in Michigan or solar panels in Ohio for a better idea of how well the Peach state ranks. Notable solar installations and a growing number of residential renewable energy systems open new jobs and contribute to the economy.
With over 250,000 people employed by the solar industry in the USA, solar companies are a growing economic sector. In Georgia, there are 221 solar companies. 56 of these are manufacturers, 75 solar installers, and 90 other companies dealing with solar systems. Thanks to healthy competition, solar installation costs in Georgia have dropped significantly.
In the past 10 years, the price of solar PV systems has dropped by around 80%. Needless to say, that is the reason why more Georgians than ever decide to go for solar power in Georgia. Clean solar energy is cheap: an average 5 kW system will cost you as little as $12,600 – $17,000. These smart investments pay off in an average of 10 years. This is 10% ROI, more than any bank of stock could offer.
Every Georgia power customer can see that solar panels work hard to keep money where it belongs: in their pockets and bank accounts. An average 5kW system can offset around 50% of one’s power bill, as energy savings can be significant, especially during the summer. Net metering and strong solar incentive politics make it easy for Georgia to increase its solar capacity year after year.
Almost every utility company in the USA offers renewable energy in their services. New Power Texas, for example, offers such packages even if there are no green electricity providers in your area. What is done then is that your money is used to purchase RECs, government-issued certificates that guarantee that the energy is green, such as wind power or solar power.
Georgia Solar Statistics
| Description | Status |
|---|---|
| Georgia National Ranking | 9th |
| Solar Panels Installed(MW) | 3,248 MW |
| Can Supply Power to: (No. of Homes) | +373,000 |
| % of State's Electricity from Solar | 3.65% |
| Solar Companies in the State | 221 (56 Manufacturers, 75 Installers and Developers, and 90 Others) |
| Solar Jobs Created | 4,466 |
| Total Solar Investment in the State | $3.8 Billion |
| Out of Pocket Cost for a 5kWh system | $12,600 - $17,100 |
| Net 20-year savings | $18,100 - $24,500 |
| Average Payback Period | 8.5 - 12.1 years |
| Electricity Bill Offset for a 5kWh system | + 50% |
| Number of Solar Installations | +3,400 |
Notable Solar Installations in Georgia
A vast majority of solar installations in Georgia are home solar installations. Besides residential solar systems, there are also large-scale solar energy systems that supply energy to the electric grid. As the average cost of solar drops and more large solar projects come online, more and more Georgia residents will be able to use clean, renewable energy in their homes, even without installing rooftop solar.
One of the largest solar installations in Georgia is Butler Solar Project 103. This high-tech solar energy system uses solar photovoltaic technology mounted on the sun-tracking axis to optimize energy production. It offers the best power output, and was selected by Georgia Power as competitive and cost-effective, and was included in the 2015 energy portfolio.
Is it Worth it to Buy Solar Panels in Georgia?
Yes, switching to solar energy and opting for a solar panel installation is worth it in Georgia. Solar cost in this state has dropped by 45% in the past 5 years and is at its historic minimum. Average electricity rates in Georgia are much higher than the national average, so going solar is a great investment for property owners who want to get more electricity from renewable sources.
Solar is also a great solution for those who would like to go off-grid. The Amish community in Georgia has adopted solar panels as a means to cover their basic energy needs. The best way to go with a solar system is to consult an expert and have them evaluate your energy needs for you.
Is a Solar Battery Worth It in Georgia?
Solar power in Georgia can be boosted by a solar battery. The cost of solar batteries is not low, and they can take around 10 years to pay off, but many who would like to go off-grid use solar state incentives to purchase a solar battery pack. These packs then save excess power generated during the day for use at night and significantly contribute to your energy independence.
However, the majority of solar energy owners decide to opt for a net metering solution when they install solar panels. What net-metering does is that it sends excess energy onto the grid. When you need that energy back, you take it from the grid, as you normally would. At the end of the month, you only pay the net difference in electricity costs.
Average Cost of Solar Energy Systems
Georgia solar panel companies work hard to satisfy the needs of the solar market. The price of a solar system has dropped significantly in the past few years. Usually, a solar panel price is calculated per solar panel, and per watt of power. The latter is usually used to compare the prices of different producers for one and the same system size. In Georgia, you can expect to pay around $2.98 per watt of installed DC power.
This means that 10 kWh in solar panels costs $29,800. A system of this size can produce enough energy to offset an average home’s 100% of the energy used in the house. This system would also be enough to power a larger household. Contact your solar installer to see what solar system size would be the best for your energy needs.
Solar Panel Energy Production in Georgia
As the price of panels per watt of installed DC (direct current) dropped over the years, the interest of Georgians and consequently, the solar investments, grew rapidly. Large-scale programs led the energy sector through a revolution of a kind, which can still be felt today. Less energy is produced in polluting power plants that burn coal and pollute the air and more is produced through renewables.
Back in 2008, Georgia had only 0.1 MW (100 kW) of solar capacity installed. This excellent investment soon proved profitable thanks to subsidies and other solar incentives. By 2013, some 5 years later, the total solar panel capacity in Georgia was over 1000 times greater, and it rose to 109.9 MW. Today, this state can boast 3,248 MW of solar power installed.
Georgia Solar Incentives, Rebates, and Tax Credits
There are two main solar incentives in Georgia. The first one is the net metering program offered by the state. The second is the generous federal ITC, or federal tax credit, the tax credit program that helps with your solar panel’s installation by reducing their cost by up to 26%.
Net metering in Georgia is available for everybody who has a way of producing their own electricity. Under this system, your utility company installs a smart meter in your home and monitors how much electricity you supply to the network and how much you draw from it. The power bill you may have at the end of the month has the fixed expenses and net-energy expenses.
The net metering program is the ideal solution for those installing solar panels. It helps them avoid having to purchase a costly solar battery. During the day, when your solar panel installation produces more than you spend, your system sends excess electric power to the grid. During times of lower solar production, your system draws energy back from the grid.
This is a great program. It allows you to purchase a smaller solar system: one that can produce your average annual usage. This brings down the average cost of your solar panel system and makes sure your investment is paid off quickly.
Federal Investment Tax Credit applicable to solar energy installation and deployment is a program that allows you to get up to 26% of your investment back in the form of tax credits. To apply for this program, you need to have enough income to qualify for federal taxation. Any credit that is not used in a year can be rolled over for up to 10 years.
Federal ITC changes every year:
- 2021 – 26% back,
- 2022 – 26% back,
- 2023 – 22% back, and
- 2024 – 0% back for residential solar and 10% back for utility solar.
| Description | Equivalent Cost |
|---|---|
| The Cost of PV - 10kWh at an average of $2.98 per Watt of Solar Installed | $29,800 |
| The Federal Solar Tax Credit @26% by the end of 2022 | $7,748 |
| Net-Metering Savings per year | $1,516.56 |
| TOTAL system cost for a 10kWh home solar system at the end of year 1 | $20,535.44 |
| Years before a 10kWh system pays off if all Georgia solar incentives are taken | 12 years |
Top Solar Companies in Georgia
There are over 220 solar panel installation companies in Georgia, so looking for the right one and comparing their costs can be a pain in the neck. To best compare the average cost of solar installations, we’ve come up with a list of top solar companies in Georgia:
- Better Tomorrow Solar, Inc – Atlanta,
- Solar Plus, LLC – Atlanta,
- Firefly Solar & Roofing – multi-state,
- Renu Energy Solutions – multi-state,
- Solar SME, In – Fayetteville,
- Creative Solar USA – Kennesaw, and
- Sunpro Solar – Multi-state.
FAQs
Does solar power make sense in Georgia?
Yes, solar power makes sense in Georgia. Georgia is in the top ten in the USA by the price of residential power cost. To keep the expenses down and get the most for every dollar you make, consider going solar: this excellent way to invest your money promises around 10% of ROI and a significant reduction in your home power bill.
How much does it cost to have solar panels removed?
Removing and reinstalling panels will cost you anywhere between $250-$300, depending on who does the work for you. Do not forget that you can always sell your old solar panels. This will help you recover the removal and reinstallation costs of your new solar array.
What is the catch with solar panels?
The biggest catch with solar panels is that they only produce power when there is direct sunlight. As Georgia has over 200 sunny days a year, this is more than enough to supply your home with clean power year-round. When it comes to solar panel efficiency, various factors play a role in how much power your system can actually produce: the tilt, the orientation of the house, the weather in your area, as well as any shading.
Do you really save money with solar panels?
Yes, you can save significant amounts of money with solar panels. Solar panels in Georgia can offset at least 50% of your power bill (a 5kW system) so that you can enjoy at least $50 of savings or more. The best thing is to ask for your solar quotes to include your savings estimation before deciding on purchasing a solar array.
Conclusion
The Georgia solar sector is expected to grow exponentially in the upcoming years. As the energy market booms and green energy becomes more lucrative, having a solar array on your rooftop makes more sense. The prices of solar equipment have never been lower and the same is true for services of any company that installs solar. Contact your utility or solar company today and see what solar benefits they have to offer to you.
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