7 Best Solar Companies in Georgia (2024 Rankings & Reviews)

Watch Below: Learn How Much This Homeowner Paid For Solar and If It Was Worth It

How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Georgia

The average solar energy system in Georgia costs around $36,190 before the federal tax credit or rebates. This is well above the national average of around $29,970.

This price assumes the average cost per watt for equipment in GA of $3.29 and that you need around an 11 kilowatt (kW) system to offset the high energy consumption in the area.

Since solar systems are pricey in Georgia, saving money during the conversion process is a priority for most homeowners in the area. Below are a few tips we have for saving money on your rooftop solar equipment in GA.

• Make sure you take advantage of solar perks
• Consider installing a battery storage solution
• Hire a company that provides a robust warranty
• Get multiple quotes

We’ll explain how each of these things can save you money in the sections below.

Take Advantage of Solar Incentives

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of solar incentive programs in GA, but the ones that are available can still save you thousands of dollars on your equipment. We’ll include some information on the available solar perks in the table below.

Consider Installing a Battery

Another great option for reducing your system costs over time is to choose a company that can install solar batteries as part of your system.

One of the most important and helpful incentives for solar customers across the country is net energy metering, which credits you for excess energy production and reduces your future utility bills accordingly. Georgia doesn’t mandate net energy metering, but solar batteries can help mimic the program.

Installing a solar battery will bump up your installation costs, but they let you store solar energy and call on that stored power before you pull from the electric grid. That means your energy savings are increased over time, which reduces your panel payback period and your all-in cost of going solar.

Watch Below: Learn more about how residential solar storage works and why it’s a great option in areas like Georgia when net metering isn’t available.

Make Sure You Get a Good Warranty

Warranty coverage is another potential way to save money on your solar power system in Georgia. GA sees its fair share of extreme weather, including hurricanes and tropical storms, that can put your expensive panels at risk of damage. Without a warranty, you’d be on the hook for any roof leaks or other issues your system may encounter.

Ensuring you have a solid warranty in place — we always encourage prioritizing performance warranties— can potentially save you money over time and get any necessary repairs at no additional cost.

Get Multiple Quotes

Finally, we recommend getting a few free quotes from companies in your area, as this can yield a lower overall cost for your solar installation. The 50+ installation companies in GA all charge different prices for the equipment, labor and warranty coverage they offer, so shopping around is worth the time.

We recommend looking at more than just the price, though, as higher-quality systems and those with superior warranty coverage and efficiency may be more valuable and worth the added investment over time.

You can use our solar calculator to estimate how much money you can save by adopting solar energy in Georgia. The tips above can then be used to reduce your costs and boost your savings.

Best Social Impact

4.5/5

National coverage Great warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

Get Free Quote

Outstanding Regional Installer

4.5/5

Expansive service area in 24 statesComprehensive service offerings Certified B Corp

Get Free Quote

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Georgia?

Yes, installing a solar system on your home in Georgia is expected to raise its value. While the average solar system in GA costs around $25,333 after the ITC is taken, it’s expected to bump your property value up by about 4.1%.³ In Georgia, where the average home value is $319,158, that expected increase of $13,085 represents nearly 70% of the system cost!

Since the value bump is based on the original value of your home, the expected increase will be more significant in higher-cost areas. These include cities like:

• Atlanta
• Alpharetta
• Brookhaven
• Milton
• Roswell

Additionally, solar is more widely accepted in Atlanta and Athens, and these two cities are cited as some of the most progressive for solar adoption in the country.⁴ It’s likely that the value increase will be a bit more substantial in these areas, as solar is more sought after within those cities.

Should Georgia Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

Since the cost of going solar in GA can be high, many aspiring solar adopters in the area consider DIY installation. Installing your own panels is almost always significantly more affordable, but we recommend against it for a few key reasons. These include the following:

• Warranties are less appealing for DIY panel kits
• DIY solar batteries lack the capacity and lifespan of professional ones
• Roof leaks are more common when panels are installed DIY

We’ll explain in further detail below.

DIY Panels Have Less Appealing Warranty Coverage

First and foremost, panels made for DIY installations have shooter warranty coverage in almost every case.

The typical panel installed by professionals comes with 25 years of coverage for damage and power production and ten years for workmanship. DIY panels have just five to ten years for equipment and production and no warranty for workmanship.

In a place like GA, where extreme weather is a common occurrence, warranties can provide peace of mind but also can mean the difference between laying out money for repairs or replacement and having the work covered for free. You’ll pay more for professional panels with better warranties, but the coverage can often turn out to be worth the money over time.

DIY Solar Batteries Aren’t as Helpful

As mentioned above, solar batteries are a great way to save more money over time in Georgia, as the state has no net energy metering program and batteries can simulate net metering.

DIY solar batteries lack the capacity of professionally-installed batteries, which means they provide far less benefit and lower savings on energy bills. For example, a popular DIY solar battery is the 12V Battle Born battery, which provides 1,200 amp-hours (Ah) of storage. A Tesla Powerwall II, on the other hand, offers more than ten times that: 13,500 amp-hours.

While professional batteries, such as lithium solar batteries, are more expensive, they have much higher capacities and will usually be far more helpful in offsetting your electric bills and saving you money over time. In most cases, the batteries will pay for themselves in Georgia.

DIY Installations Are More Prone to Roof Leaks

Finally, roof penetrations for solar installations are always a risk, but with a professional doing the work, that risk is largely mitigated (and covered by warranties). Installing your panels yourself is much more likely to put your roof at risk of leaking, which can cause serious property damage.

Georgians are at higher risk of roof leaks already because of the above-average rainfall the state sees per year, which is nearly double the national average.⁵

Installing your panels yourself will almost certainly be cheaper, but reducing the risk of severe water damage in your home by having an experienced solar installation company do the work can pay off if it means avoiding costly property damage.

What Should Georgians Look For in a Solar Installer?

With more than 50 installation companies to choose from in GA, it will save you time and effort if you narrow your search based on what’s most important to you and the success of your solar panel system. We believe some of the most important things to consider when choosing a company in Georgia include:

• The warranty coverage you get with your system
• The price and financing options made available to you
• The solar services provided

We’ll explain below why we believe these factors are some of the most crucial ones to look for in Georgia.

Warranty Coverage

We think warranty coverage is one of the most important things you can prioritize when hiring a solar company in Georgia. As mentioned above, Georgia sees hurricanes, cyclones, above-average rain and other extreme weather that can put outdoor solar equipment at risk of damage. It can also put your roof at risk of leaking if the installation isn’t done properly.

Looking for a company that provides lengthy and robust warranty coverage for the equipment, efficiency and workmanship not only provides you with peace of mind but can also end up saving you money in the long run.

We typically recommend asking specifically about power production guarantees. These can help ensure you’ll see the savings that are laid out for you in your initial estimate.

Price and Payment Options

Next, we recommend looking at GA’s cost of going solar with the company you’re considering, the value you get for the money and the payment options available to you.

All solar installers charge different prices for their labor and the equipment installed, so it’s wise to get a few quotes and compare based on the cost and what you get for the money.

You can also quickly eliminate company options if they don’t offer the payment options that work for you. As such, we suggest deciding if you’ll be paying in cash or with a loan, lease or PPA and then avoiding companies that don’t offer your preferred option.

Solar Services

Finally, we suggest looking at the services and products each company offers. Solar batteries are a popular and wise investment in states like Georgia that don’t mandate net energy metering. If you decide you do want a battery, you can quickly rule out companies that don’t install them, like Blue Raven Solar.

You can also decide if you want other services or products, like energy efficiency upgrades, EV chargers or other add-on products. It’s quick and painless to eliminate companies that don’t offer what you need.

Best Social Impact

4.5/5

National coverage Great warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

Get Free Quote

Outstanding Regional Installer

4.5/5

Expansive service area in 24 statesComprehensive service offerings Certified B Corp

Get Free Quote

Methodology: How We Ranked Georgia’s Solar Companies

Our goal is to help bring awareness to solar and make the process of converting as simple and beneficial as possible for our readers. That’s why we take time to research and rank the companies we recommend, and we base our decisions on what makes the most sense for you as a homeowner and future solar customer.

Below are the criteria we’ve used to rank the solar panel companies in GA:

We’ll explain why we use these factors to rank solar providers in Georgia below, but you can read through our methodology for more information on why we’ve chosen to focus on these criteria. It’s also worth noting that our decisions are never influenced by our commercial partnerships.

Solar Warranties Provided

Solar panels typically don’t put your home at much risk if installed properly. However, since GA sees plenty of extreme weather every year, the risk of panel and property damage is elevated in the area.

Companies that provide lengthy and comprehensive warranties get ranked higher because they offer more protection and peace of mind, even in Georgia’s most extreme weather.

The industry standard we use to compare companies is 25 years of coverage for equipment, 20 to 25 years of coverage for panel efficiency and ten years of coverage for workmanship.

The best companies will offer performance warranty coverage that ensures your system performs as advertised or you’ll get a check for the difference.

Solar Services

Next, we look at the services and products offered. Companies that provide a wider range of services will, of course, appeal to more customers. However, we specifically prioritize companies that offer solar batteries and efficiency upgrades, as these are great investments in areas like GA where homes use a lot of energy and don’t have net energy metering available.

Price and Payment Options

The overall price of going solar with a company is an important consideration anywhere, but especially in Georgia, where the cost of a solar system is far above the national average. We prioritize companies that are able to keep installation costs low by discounting equipment or charging fair prices for labor.

We also prioritize companies that offer in-house financing with low interest rates and flexible down payment requirements. These options help lower the overall cost of going solar and the barrier to entry into renewable energy.

Qualifications, Certifications and Reputation

Next, we look at the company’s overall qualifications and reputation in the local solar industry. Qualifications and certifications we look for include:

• Certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
• Green Building certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• Affiliations with local solar organizations, like the Georgia Solar Energy Association (GASEIA)
• Electrician licensure or general contracting licensure

We also read through customer reviews for each company to gauge its reputation in the industry and in GA as a whole. Those that have complaints filed and negative reviews get ranked lower, while those that have positive reviews and tend to get business from referrals rank higher.

Experience in Georgia

Since the solar industry is booming in GA, there are lots of companies popping up to take advantage of the growing demand. Unfortunately, young companies are less likely to persevere in the competitive solar market, and they can void your warranties if they go out of business.

We prioritize companies that have five or more years in the industry, and those that have ten or more years of experience get a perfect score from us in this category.

Availability

Next, we look at the service area of each provider. Some larger companies serve the entire state, while smaller, local companies sometimes focus on major cities like Atlanta. Since larger companies will appeal to more of our readers, we rank those with a statewide presence higher.

Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance Factors

Finally, we look at the environmental and social impact of each company and how it carries itself in the industry. We rank companies higher if they disclose their data publicly, address end-of-life products to ensure spent solar equipment is disposed of properly or recycled and are committed to promoting solar and renewable energy in general.

Read More About Going Solar in Georgia

• Is Solar Worth It in Georgia?
• Georgia Solar Incentives Guide
• Find Cost Savings on Solar Panels in Georgia

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.