Georgia Solar Incentives: Solar Loans, Efficiency Rebates

Atlanta is one of the sunniest big cities in the countryside. With a average 110 sunny days per year in the state, many homeowners could save money by installing panels on their roofs, making them less dependent on the electricity grid.

Georgia isn’t the most generous state when it comes to incentivizing solar installations, but look closer because there’s good news for residents looking to install solar panels. While there aren’t any major statewide programs to lower the cost of solar in Georgia, residents can still take advantage of local rebates and special loans that can make solar panels a little more affordable.

And other rebates for energy efficiency improvements can go hand in hand with a solar system, even if they aren’t incentives specifically designed for rooftop solar installations. Here’s a guide to available solar incentives in the state of Georgia.

Comparison of solar panel incentives in Georgia

CNET recently ranked states based on their residential solar policies — the laws and regulations that affect the installation and adoption of solar panels at the consumer level. These policies play a significant role in determining how accessible and affordable a solar system is for the average resident.

Each state was evaluated using a methodology and scored based on eight categories. The final score was converted into a letter grade.

The interactive map below provides an overview of residential solar incentives in all 50 states, including Georgia. You can use the map to see how your state’s incentives compare to the rest of the U.S. regulatory landscape.

Georgia Solar Tax Credits, Exemptions, and Loan Programs

Unlike many states that give residents money or tax credits to offset the cost of solar, Georgia does not have any statewide incentive programs of this type. It is best to look to programs run by local communities or utilities for financial assistance.

Local incentives for solar energy and energy efficiency in Georgia

While there aren’t many local incentives for solar panels themselves, utility Georgia Power does offer rebates on many home energy improvements you can make in addition to solar.

Georgia Power Energy Efficiency Rebates

The Power of Georgia Energy Assistance for Conservation and Efficiency (EASE) Program can give you free energy upgrades if your household income is 200% or less of the 2023 U.S. federal poverty guidelines. The program includes energy efficiency projects such as:

• Attic insulation
• Sealing openings, cracks and leaks
• LED lights
• Smart Wi-Fi Thermostats
• Maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems

Another offering from Georgia Power, the Home Energy Improvement Programcan help you finance energy improvements in your home. Rebate amounts vary by project and are available for insulation, air sealing, thermostats, heat pumps, water heaters and more.

Georgia Clear

Thanks to provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, nonprofits have a way to claim the federal tax credit for solar energy. The national nonprofit Good Capital Fund is piloting the Georgia Bright Program in the state to introduce low-cost solar leases for eligible Georgia residents who own their own homes and meet certain income requirements.

Local discounts on electrical appliances in Georgia

There are a number of other rebate programs that Georgia utilities offer that can help you purchase electrical appliances that you can pair with a solar system.

And it’s not just the utility companies offering these discounts. The city of Marietta has a $150 rebate on heat pumps and a $250 rebate on electric boilers.

Special loans for solar energy in Georgia

Georgia residents can take advantage of a HomePlus loan, offered by Energy Financial Credit Union.

These loans are accessible through utility companies Jackson EMC, Central Georgia EMC And Walton EMCbut they are managed by Energy Financial. They can be used to finance home energy projects including solar energy, but also heat pumps, water heaters and insulation.

Net metering rules for solar energy in Georgia

With netting you can return surplus solar energy that you do not use to the grid. You will receive a credit on your account for this.

The details of net metering vary by utility. For Georgia PowerSolar customers can sign up for a net metering program called RNR-Immediate settlementTheir excess energy is tallied monthly and credited to customers’ bills at a “Solar Avoided Cost Rate,” plus 4 cents per kWh. This program is capped at 0.2% of the company’s “annual peak demand in the preceding year.”

Not a Georgia Power customer? Here are links to other utilities’ net metering policies in the state.

Community solar energy projects in Georgia

Peach State residents who can’t install solar panels on their roofs can still purchase solar energy.

Community solar projects — essentially large solar farms — allow utility customers to subscribe to a share of the solar power output, potentially receiving lower electric bills in return. It’s also a way for customers to support large solar projects in their local area.

Georgia Power Customers you can register directly for communal solar energy output by signing up online. It costs $24.00 per 1 kilowatt block per month to sign up. The utility’s website states, “You should expect that Community Solar’s costs to participate in the program may be higher than the bill credits received from solar production.”

CNET’s Andrew Blok contributed to this report.