The 7 Best Solar Companies in Georgia of 2023

Georgia is steadily becoming a hot spot for solar energy. The state is ranked seventh for solar power in the country and listed as a top 10 location for sunlight. That's good news for Georgia residents, who can cut expensive electricity rates and transition to clean energy.

We at the Guides Home Team have researched the best solar panel companies in the United States and narrowed it down to the best providers in Georgia. This guide also highlights incentives to save money on installation costs.

Below are our picks for Georgia solar companies:

SunPower creates some of the most energy-efficient solar systems available. Its systems include industry-leading Maxeon Solar panels with efficiency ratings up to 22.8% for its top models. Each system is paired with in-house components designed to work optimally together. You can also add the company's signature SunPower SunVault, one of the best solar batteries on the market.

SunPower includes 25-year warranties for product and installation issues. Customers also receive a 25-year performance guarantee ensuring your solar panels will produce at least 92% of their listed capacity by the end of the warranty period.

SunPower offers three payment options: full payment, solar lease and solar loan with $0 down financing for qualifying customers.

ADT Solar aims to create a customer-focused experience. The company educates homeowners about solar energy by providing an online catalog of informational materials. It also makes high-performance systems with panels from top solar panel producers, including LG and Panasonic.

ADT offers solar storage options from Tesla and Enphase, two of the top brands for solar batteries. Both batteries include monitoring technology through their dedicated apps.

ADT Solar provides two 25-year warranties for workmanship and equipment, plus a 25-year power production guarantee.

ADT Solar offers full payments and solar loans.

Palmetto Solar aims to support all residential solar users, whether they’re customers or not. The company's Palmetto Protect plan includes tiered protection packages that any solar system owner can purchase. Each tier offers unique services, including active system monitoring, preferred customer support, and discounted panel and home services.

Palmetto also offers additional solar and home services, including panel cleaning, system repair, pest abatement and roofing. Each Palmetto Solar system includes high-quality Hanwha Q Cells panels backed by a 25-year output warranty.

Palmetto offers four payment options: full payment, solar loan, solar lease and PPA.

Momentum Solar handles all steps of the solar installation process. It builds customized systems with options for seven high-quality panels, including top brands such as LG, Trina and Q Cells. Momentum includes system monitoring and maintenance with each installation, ensuring your system runs at optimal performance.

Each system is backed with 25-year equipment and workmanship warranties, protecting against product failures and installation issues. Homeowners interested in selling their homes can easily transfer their contracts to new buyers.

Momentum Solar provides four payment options: full payment, solar loan, solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA).

Paying for your panels outright guarantees the most savings. Solar loans provide a low monthly payment over several years but include interest rates that increase how much you’ll pay over time. Both payment options grant you ownership of your system, qualifying you for solar incentives and the federal solar tax credit.

You can select a solar lease or PPA if you aren't interested in owning your system or don't have the funds for an up-front purchase. A solar lease includes fixed monthly payments lower than your normal energy bill. Leases require little to no money down and last at least 20 years.

A PPA allows you to pay for only the energy you use. Unlike a lease or loan, payments aren't fixed. Instead, they fluctuate based on your consumption, similar to an electricity bill.

With both leases and PPAs, your solar company retains ownership of the system and is responsible for upkeep. However, you aren't eligible for cost-saving solar incentives.

Blue Raven offers a unique financial plan that makes converting to solar affordable. The company's BluePower Plus+ financing plan provides new customers with 18 months of free solar energy. After this initial period, you can sign up for the SmartStart program to receive 42 months of low, fixed loan payments. Blue Raven also provides information about incentives and rebates to lower your solar system costs.

Blue Raven offers one- to two-day installations. Its systems include brand-name panels covered by a two-year performance guarantee. The company also provides a 25-year manufacturer's warranty for added protection from product defects.

Blue Raven offers full payments or financing through its BluePower Plus+ plan.

All Georgia homeowners are eligible for the federal tax credit, which provides a federal tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar installation costs. The credit will roll over to the next year if it's less than your tax liability.

Unlike other states, Georgia has no statewide credits or rebates. It doesn't have a net-metering program, which allows homeowners to receive credit on their utility bills for excess energy generated by their solar systems. It also doesn't offer a property tax exemption for the additional property value installing a solar system provides.

Utility companies such as Georgia Power and Jackson EMC do offer programs to help offset the cost of solar panels. Here's an overview of these programs.

Georgia Power offers a solar buyback program called the Renewable and Nonrenewable Tariff (RNR) Monthly Netting program. Credits accumulate monthly and are applied to your electric bill at 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). However, only the first 5,000 solar customers were eligible for this higher rate. It's been reported that Georgia is expanding its solar technology integration to open the program to more residents. Check with Georgia Power for more information.

Jackson EMC offers the Solar Power Home Rebate program. Its customers are eligible for a one-time solar rebate of $250 per kilowatt (kW) for systems up to 10 kW. The system must be owned via full payment or solar loan. Customers with leased panels don't qualify for the incentive. Check the Jackson EMC website for the full details and program requirements.

There are several factors to consider when looking for the best solar installation companies in the Peach State. Here are a few suggestions.

Look for a company with at least 10 years of experience in the solar industry. Although some new companies have been successful, many have gone out of business after five or fewer years.

Also, look for companies with a reputation for reliability and longevity. The ideal company should have certifications from respected organizations such as the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). You should also check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and reputable review sites to gain insight into customers’ experiences with the company.

It's essential to find the right balance between quality and price. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive but have the highest efficiency ratings. Polycrystalline and thin-film panels are more affordable but less efficient. They may ultimately cost you more because you’ll require more of them to produce enough energy to power your home.

Review each company's product catalog and research the available equipment. Some customers prefer name brands they’re familiar with, while others choose panels with proven performance history. Remember that high-quality panels from big-name brands will be more expensive. This includes additional solar accessories, such as solar batteries and EV chargers.

Solar panels are a long-term investment, so it's essential to have the proper protection to keep them running correctly. Look for companies that offer longer warranty options and review their policies in-depth. The industry standard is 10 to 12 years for a manufacturer's (or equipment) warranty and 25 years for a performance warranty. It's advantageous to find a company that offers more than 25 years of coverage. This will protect your system for its entire lifespan, as panels last 25 to 30 years on average.

Whether you live in the outskirts of Atlanta or near coastal Savannah, Georgia residents can benefit from the energy savings of going solar. Look for more policy changes and incentives as the state invests in solar power.

We recommend getting quotes from at least three solar providers to find the best deal. Compare their products, services and warranty options closely. Use the tool below to find vetted solar providers in your area.

Yes, Georgia is a good state for solar due to its large amount of direct sunlight and growth in the solar industry. Despite the state's lack of solar incentives, residents can still save money by transitioning to solar energy.

The average cost of solar in Georgia is around $3 per watt, higher than the national average of $2.78. Based on this pricing, a 6-kilowatt system would cost $18,000 but could range from $15,300 to $20,000. Solar energy systems vary in price depending on your location, solar provider, energy needs and other factors.

No, Georgia doesn't have a statewide solar tax credit. However, residents can use the federal solar tax credit to save money on their installations.

Yes, Georgia offers community solar programs for residents who want to benefit from solar energy without committing to owning panels. Customers can purchase a block of solar panels through their utility company and receive credits for the energy generated by their solar block. Georgia Power and Walter EMC offer community solar programs for residential customers.

We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider's score out of five stars. Here's how we assessed each company:

Tamara Jude is a writer specializing in solar energy and home improvement content. She has a background in journalism and an enthusiasm for research, with more than six years of experience producing and writing content. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts and playing video games.

Dana Getz is a seasoned editor with nearly a decade of experience writing and editing content. She has a background in journalism and worked as a fact-checker for prestigious magazines such as New York and Chicago. She holds a journalism and marketing degree from Northwestern University and has worked across numerous categories within the home services space.