The state does not offer a statewide solar tax credit or sales tax exemption, so incentives are primarily utility-driven.
Georgia does not have a statewide net metering mandate; solar compensation depends heavily on your utility provider.
Georgia Power offers limited net metering and buyback programs with capacity caps and program enrollment limits.
Several Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) provide their own solar buyback or net metering-style programs, which vary by territory.
There is no statewide SREC market for residential solar in Georgia
Georgia Solar Rebates, Tax Benefits, Net Metering & SRECs for Homeowners
Georgia homeowners who install solar are increasingly motivated by escalating electricity prices, grid reliability concerns during heatwaves and thunderstorm seasons, and rising interest in long-term energy independence.
As utility costs trend upward, solar helps residents control their energy expenses and shield their households from rate volatility. For many Georgians, solar paired with storage also provides resilience during summer outages and protection against rising cooling loads.
The average residential electricity rate in Georgia is approximately 13.5¢ per kWh, placing the state near the national average.
Summertime demand spikes and heat-related grid stress make solar an attractive way to capture daytime energy and reduce dependence on utility power during expensive peak periods.
Although federal solar incentives are not available to homeowners in 2026, Georgia still offers state and utility-level solar incentives, net metering protections, and solar-friendly programs that help make residential solar financially practical.
Here's what homeowners need to know about Georgia solar incentives in 2026.
Georgia Solar Incentives for Homeowners
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No statewide residential solar tax credit: Georgia does not offer a broad, statewide homeowner solar income tax credit in 2026.
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Sales tax incentives are limited: Georgia does not have a universal statewide sales tax exemption that homeowners can count on for rooftop solar purchases.
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Property tax treatment varies locally: Any property tax benefit depends on local assessment practices—homeowners should confirm treatment with their county assessor.
Utility-Specific Solar Incentives in Georgia
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Georgia Power: Solar Buy Back and Community Solar options
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Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs): Varying buy-back or credit programs
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Municipal utilities: Policies vary, with limited formal net metering
Georgia Power Solar Buy Back
Georgia Power — the state’s largest investor-owned utility — offers a Solar Buy Back program that functions similarly to net metering but is not a full retail rate net metering policy.
Under this arrangement, customers with grid-connected solar can export excess electricity to the grid and receive bill credits at the utility’s “avoided-energy cost” rate, which is significantly lower than the full retail price of electricity. Credits carry forward to future months and help offset usage, but homeowners benefit most by maximizing on-site consumption rather than exporting energy.
Georgia Power does not provide traditional statewide rebates for residential solar installations, but it does offer a Community Solar program, where customers can subscribe to blocks of off-site solar production and receive bill credits based on the output of those blocks. Participation is subscription-based and not tied to rooftop installation.
Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs)
Many of Georgia’s EMCs — such as Jackson EMC, GreyStone Power, and others — offer solar buy-back or credit programs with terms set by each cooperative. These programs generally compensate exported solar energy at utility-defined rates, sometimes near Georgia Power’s avoided cost. Rebate offerings and credit terms vary widely by member provider, so homeowners should contact their EMC to understand specific policies, rates, and any pilot programs they may offer.
Municipal Utilities
Smaller municipal utilities in Georgia (e.g., city electric departments) may allow solar interconnection and provide bill crediting for exported energy, but there is no statewide mandate requiring full retail net metering, and many municipal programs credit solar at rates that reflect avoided cost or utility purchase rates rather than full retail value. Homeowners should check local utility tariffs for details.
Net Metering & Solar Export Compensation in Georgia
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Net metering status: Georgia is not a traditional net metering state with full retail compensation.
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Solar Buy Back: Georgia Power and many EMCs offer buy-back or credit programs at utility-defined avoided cost rates.
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Export credits: Credits from export are tied to the utility’s cost to procure power, not full retail rate, and can be carried over month-to-month.
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System size limits: Residential systems under Georgia Power’s buy-back are currently limited to 10 kW; EMC policies vary.
Georgia Power’s Solar Buy Back program allows customers to sell excess solar generation back to the grid for bill credits, but those credits are based on electrical avoided cost (the amount the utility would have paid for the electricity itself), not the full retail electricity price.
That means homeowners see less direct value for exports than in states with full net metering. Credits accrue monthly and help reduce future energy costs, but designing systems to maximize self-consumption and pairing with battery storage often increases long-term savings under these structures.
Why Use Energy Storage in Georgia
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Self-consumption: Batteries help store excess solar and reduce exported energy at a low credit rate
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Peak demand shifts: Storage lets homeowners use solar power during high-cost evening periods
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Outage resilience: Batteries provide backup when the grid goes down
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Rate optimization: Storage supports time-of-use and demand management strategies
Because Georgia’s solar compensation is generally lower for exported energy, homeowners can capture more value by increasing self-consumption with battery storage.
Storage allows daytime solar production to be used during evenings or peak times when utility supply costs are highest, improving overall economics. Renewable storage also enhances resilience during outages and aligns well with utility time-of-use pricing where available.
Need Help Navigating Incentives? Reach Out to US Solar Supplier
Georgia homeowners can still save with solar in 2026, but results depend heavily on utility policies and how your system is designed. The best outcomes usually come from right-sizing your array, understanding your utility’s export credit rules, and deciding whether storage is worth it for your home’s outage risk and evening usage.
US Solar Supplier can help you choose materials, design a system optimized for your utility rules, and answer questions on compatibility—whether you’re building a rooftop solar system, adding battery backup, or planning a DIY-friendly setup.
👉 Contact US Solar Supplier for personalized guidance on solar equipment, design services, and homeowner-focused solar planning in Georgia.
Are there still solar incentives for homeowners in Georgia in 2026?
Yes, but they are primarily utility-based, not statewide tax credits. Georgia homeowners rely on utility solar buyback programs, export credit policies, and smart system design to reduce energy costs rather than broad state incentives.
Does Georgia offer net metering for residential solar?
Georgia does not have a universal, statewide full-retail net metering policy. Instead, solar compensation depends on your specific utility — whether that is Georgia Power, an electric membership cooperative (EMC), or a municipal utility.
How does Georgia Power’s Solar Buy Back program work?
Georgia Power allows solar customers to export excess energy to the grid and receive bill credits under its Solar Buy Back structure. Exported energy is credited at utility-defined rates rather than guaranteed full retail value. Credits can offset future usage, but homeowners typically benefit most by maximizing on-site solar consumption.
What do Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) offer for solar?
Many EMCs allow solar interconnection and offer export credits, but policies vary widely. Some cooperatives use avoided-cost or net billing models, meaning exported solar energy is credited at a lower rate than retail electricity. Homeowners should confirm credit rates, rollover rules, and system size limits with their EMC before installing solar.
Are there any state tax exemptions for solar in Georgia?
Georgia does not offer a broad statewide residential solar tax credit or guaranteed sales tax exemption. Property tax treatment can vary by county, so homeowners should verify how solar systems are assessed locally.
