Georgia's electricity prices average $0.12/kWh, below the national average of $0.14/kWh.
Cost of a Solar Install
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.
Troubles Are Few In Georgia
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.
Georgia Solar Program
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.
