Georgia Solar Cost Data 2026
| System Size | Gross Cost | After purchase (no federal Section 25D credit applies to systems installed after December 31, 2025, per IRS rules) | Avg Annual Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $10,500 | $7,350 | $1,100–$1,400/yr | Small home <1,500 sq ft |
| 7 kW (most common) | $15,000 | $10,500 | $1,600–$2,000/yr | Average Georgia home |
| 10 kW | $21,000 | $14,700 | $2,200–$2,800/yr | Larger home / EV charging |
| Battery add-on (10 kWh) | +$7,000–$11,000 | +$4,900–$7,700 | Backup power | Not eligible for the federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D, IRS) — that credit expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025 |
Top Solar Providers in Georgia
| Provider | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrun | Largest US residential installer; active statewide in Georgia | Visit Site → |
| Blue Raven Solar | Clean Energy Capital backed; active in Georgia | Visit Site → |
| Tesla Energy | Powerwall battery storage; primarily direct through Tesla.com | Visit Site → |
| ADT Solar | Formerly Sunpro Solar; strong Georgia dealer network | Visit Site → |
| Smart Solar | Regional installer; Georgia-focused service team | Visit Site → |
| Pink Energy (verify status) | — | Visit Site → |
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Georgia Law and Requirements
Georgia solar policy: net metering under Georgia Power REDI (below-retail buyback). Installations are subject to local permitting — timelines vary by municipality (typically 1–8 weeks). Georgia incentives: No federal residential tax credit (Section 25D expired for homeowner-purchased systems after Dec 31, 2025) · No GA state income tax credit for residential solar · Property tax exemption (varies by county) · Georgia Power REDI buyback. Federal note: the 30% commercial credit (IRC §48E, IRS) is claimable by installers/owners of leased or PPA systems, not by homeowners who purchase directly; it is claimed on Form 3468, not Form 5695. Verify current incentive availability at DSIRE.
Key Terms
- ITCInvestment Tax Credit — the 30% federal solar tax credit under Section 48E (IRS) applies to installer-owned systems such as leases and PPAs, reducing the owner's income tax dollar-for-dollar; the residential Section 25D credit expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025
- Net MeteringPolicy allowing solar owners to sell excess electricity to the grid, reducing their utility bill.
- kWpKilowatts-peak — rated maximum output of a solar panel under standard test conditions.
- Payback PeriodYears until savings equal total installation cost. Typically 7–12 years for most US markets.
- NABCEPNorth American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners — gold-standard installer certification.
- Battery StoragePaired lithium-ion battery stores excess solar energy for outages or off-peak use.
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How to Get Solar in Georgia — Step by Step
Audit your electricity usage first
Pull 12 months of utility bills. Solar system sizing is based on annual kWh consumption. Oversizing wastes capital; undersizing means continued utility dependency. Most NABCEP installers provide a free usage analysis.
Get at least 3 quotes from NABCEP-certified installers
Verify installer certification at NABCEP.org. In Georgia, prices can vary 20–40% between installers for the same system. Get itemized quotes showing panel brand, inverter brand, warranty terms, and production estimates.
Understand Georgia net metering terms
Georgia net metering: Georgia Power REDI (below-retail buyback). The compensation rate for exported power directly affects your payback calculation. Ask your installer to model your bill with the actual utility net metering rate — not a generic estimate.
Verify all Georgia incentives before signing
Current Georgia solar incentives: No federal residential tax credit (Section 25D expired for homeowner-purchased systems after Dec 31, 2025) · No GA state income tax credit for residential solar · Property tax exemption (varies by county) · Georgia Power REDI buyback. Check availability at DSIRE — programs open and close throughout the year. Your installer should document every incentive in the contract.
Review production guarantee and warranty terms
Ask for a written production guarantee (kWh/year). Workmanship warranty should cover 10+ years; panel warranty 25 years; inverter 10–25 years. If the system underperforms by more than 10% of guarantee, the installer should remedy at no cost.
Time your tax credit correctly
The federal residential solar tax credit under Section 25D (IRS) expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 purchases. For third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs), the installer/owner may claim the 30% commercial credit under IRC §48E, provided construction begins before July 4, 2026 or the system is in service by December 31, 2027. If your tax situation is complex — particularly if layering state incentives — consult a CPA. This is general information, not tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions — Georgia Solar
How much does solar cost in Georgia in 2026?
The average residential solar installation in Georgia costs $15,000–$20,000 in 2026. A 7 kW system — the most common size — costs approximately $15,000 before incentives. Note: the federal residential Investment Tax Credit (Section 25D, IRS) expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025, so a 2026 purchase earns no federal credit. Homeowners who choose a solar lease or PPA may benefit indirectly, as installers/owners can still claim the 30% commercial credit under Section 48E (IRS) and often pass savings through as a lower rate. State and local incentives in Georgia can reduce costs further: No federal ITC for residential purchases in 2026 · No GA state income tax credit for residential solar. This is general information, not tax advice.
What solar incentives are available in Georgia?
Georgia solar incentives in 2026: No federal residential tax credit (Section 25D, IRS, expired for homeowner-purchased systems after Dec 31, 2025) · No GA state income tax credit for residential solar · Property tax exemption (varies by county) · Georgia Power REDI buyback. Homeowners choosing a solar lease or PPA may benefit indirectly from the 30% commercial credit under Section 48E (IRS), which the installer/owner claims and may pass through as a lower rate. Check current program availability at DSIRE (dsireusa.org) before signing a contract — funding levels change frequently. This is general information, not tax advice.
How does net metering work in Georgia?
Georgia's net metering policy: Georgia Power REDI (below-retail buyback). Net metering credits your electric bill for excess solar energy exported to the grid. The compensation rate significantly affects your payback period — higher retail-rate credits yield faster payback than reduced export rates.
How many peak sun hours does Georgia get?
Georgia receives approximately 5.1–5.4 h/day of peak sun per day, which is near the national average of 4.5–5 hours. This means Georgia homeowners can generate adequate solar energy relative to most US states, improving system ROI.
What is the payback period for solar in Georgia?
Most Georgia homeowners see payback in 7–11 years on a standard 7 kW system, depending on electricity rates, system size, financing costs, and incentives. After payback, the system generates free electricity for 15–20+ more years. The payback period has shortened significantly as installation costs have fallen and electricity rates have risen.
How do I choose a reputable solar installer in Georgia?
Verify NABCEP certification at nabcep.org/installer-locator. Check BBB ratings, Google reviews, and ask for 3 local references. Get a written production guarantee and confirm warranty terms. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics or installers who won't provide itemized quotes. Pull GA contractor license verification at https://oci.georgia.gov.
Is solar worth it in Georgia?
For most homeowners in Georgia, going solar can still make sense in 2026 — especially given 5.1–5.4 h/day of daily sun hours and available incentives. However, note that the federal residential Investment Tax Credit (Section 25D, IRS) expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025, so a direct purchase no longer qualifies for a federal credit. Homeowners who choose a solar lease or PPA may benefit indirectly, as installers/owners can claim the 30% commercial credit under Section 48E (IRS) and often pass savings through as a lower rate. Key factors: your current electricity rate, roof condition and orientation, available financing, and how long you plan to stay in the home. This is general information, not tax advice.
Can I get solar with no money down in Georgia?
Yes — solar loans (typically 5–20 year terms), solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) allow Georgia homeowners to go solar with $0 upfront. However, the federal residential tax credit (Section 25D, IRS) expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025, so neither solar loans nor cash purchases qualify for a federal credit in 2026. With leases and PPAs, the installer/owner can still claim the 30% commercial credit under Section 48E (IRS) and may pass savings through as a lower rate. Depending on your situation, ownership through a solar loan may still produce better long-term economics than leasing — evaluate carefully given the changed incentive landscape.
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