Are there any solar incentives in Georgia?
The PowerUp Lending Program from Central Georgia EMC offers low-interest financing to help homeowners pay for energy-efficient upgrades, including solar panels.
PowerUp is a loan, not a rebate.
Loan amounts range from $500 to $25,000 with a fixed 9.9% APR. Repayment terms range from three to eight years, depending on how much you borrow.
You need a credit score of at least 650 and must set up automatic payments. Loans over $7,500 may include a lien on the equipment, meaning the lender has a claim until it’s fully paid off.
What happened to the federal solar tax credit?
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) previously let homeowners claim 30% of installation costs from their federal taxes. It was phased out with the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) in 2025.
Homeowners who installed solar systems before the deadline may still claim the credit, but systems installed in 2026 or later no longer qualify.
What to know about net metering in Georgia
Georgia no longer offers traditional net metering for most homeowners. Instead, utilities use net billing, which pays less for excess solar energy.
With net billing, your panels power your home first. Any extra electricity you send to the grid earns bill credits — but at a lower rate than what you pay for power. This means your overall savings are smaller than they would be under traditional net metering.
Georgia’s previous net metering program hit its 5,000-customer cap in 2021 and hasn’t expanded since. Today, programs from utilities like Georgia Power follow a similar buyback model.
Most residential systems must be 10 kW or smaller to qualify, and utilities limit how much solar they accept each year (not all homeowners will be eligible).
Pro tip
As of 2026, pairing solar with a battery can help you use more of your own power at night instead of sending excess electricity back to the grid at a lower avoided-cost rate.
How much are solar panels in Georgia?
Average solar panel costs in Georgia generally range from $12,242 to $24,484.
System size is a big cost factor of going solar. A typical Georgia household needs about a 6.3 kW system, which costs $15,435 on average. Depending on your energy needs, you might need a smaller or larger system.
Your total price also depends on whether you add battery storage to your system. Solar batteries cost $7,000 to $18,000, which can nearly double the total system price.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Georgia
| 5 kW | 6 kW | 7 kW | 8 kW | 9 kW | 10 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide average | $12,242 | $14,690 | $17,139 | $19,587 | $22,036 | $24,484 |
Federal solar loan programs
Energy Efficient Mortgages allow homeowners to finance energy-saving upgrades, including solar systems, as part of their mortgage, often with support from federal programs like FHA or VA.
Types of Energy Efficient Mortgages
- FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages are available to many homebuyers. This lets you add money to your mortgage for energy upgrades. The upgrade cost must be less than the expected energy savings, and a home energy assessment is required first.
- VA Energy Efficient Mortgages are available to military members, veterans and reservists. This lets you add up to $6,000 if energy savings justify the cost.
- Conventional Energy Efficient Mortgages are offered by private lenders (not government-backed). You can borrow up to 15% of a home’s value for energy upgrades. This may help borrowers qualify by adjusting debt-to-income rules.
Compare solar companies in Georgia
Working with a local solar company in Georgia makes it easier to understand local incentives.
| Company | Customer rating | Pro install | Max panel efficiency | Solar panel warranty | Payment options | Year founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Freedom Forever | Learn More | 3.8 |  | Varies | 25 years | Cash, loan, lease | 2011 |
 ShopSolar | Learn More | 4.7 |  | Varies | Varies | Cash, loan | 2018 |
 Project Solar | Learn More | 4.3 | | 20.9% | 25 years | Cash, loan | 2016 |
» RELATED: Top solar companies in Atlanta
FAQ
Can I get free solar panels in Georgia?
Georgia doesn’t have a free solar panel program that we’re aware of. You can lease or enter a PPA with little to no upfront costs. Still, neither is totally free. Solar leases generally require a flat monthly fee; PPAs make you pay per unit of electricity.
» FREE SOLAR PANELS: Are they really free?
Are solar panels worth it in Georgia?
Going solar is often worth it for Georgia homeowners because of long-term utility bill savings. Over 25 years, residents with solar panels avoid $23,339 in utility costs on average.
Your current electric bill is the starting point for assessing the financial benefits of transitioning to solar energy. Your average energy consumption tells you what size solar system you need. Once you know this, you can figure out potential savings and how long it should take for your solar installation to pay for itself.
» COMPARE: Best solar companies
How can I pay for solar panels?
Going solar is like buying a car. You could pay cash, but a lot of people finance or lease with minimal upfront costs.
- Solar loans work like any other home improvement loan. There’s an application and approval process. You pay it back over time (with interest) each month.
- Leasing solar panels lets you set up a system without high upfront costs. A solar company installs and maintains the panels on your property, and you pay a monthly fee to use them.
» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy
How do I know if my house is a good candidate for solar?
It’s best to have plenty of unshaded roof space that faces south or west for optimal sun exposure. It’s also smart to upgrade any old, inefficient appliances first. Reducing your electrical loads now means you can get a smaller system, which will be cheaper.
The condition of your roof matters too — if it needs replacement soon, do that before installing solar panels. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This will cost around $5,000 for a 19-panel setup.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, more commonly known as solar panels, absorb sunlight and convert it into usable electricity. If you have a lot of shading around your house, they might not get enough sun to power your home. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your roof.
Is my HOA allowed to restrict solar panels?
There’s no active solar rights law in the state, so your HOA may try to prevent you from putting up panels. Many states have laws that prevent homeowners associations (HOAs) from making rules against solar panels, but Georgia does not.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- DSIRE, "Programs." Accessed April 10, 2026.
- Central Georgia EMC, "PowerUp." Accessed April 10, 2026.
- Georgia Power, "Frequently Asked Questions, Residential Rooftop Solar." Accessed April 10, 2026.
- Solar Power World, "Georgia net-metering program reaches cap, jeopardizing rooftop solar growth." Accessed April 10, 2026.
