Best solar Companies in Georgia

What Are the Top 7 Solar Energy Companies in Georgia?
Georgia is home to more than 50 solar energy suppliers, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Whether it’s the top solar panel brands, pricing that’s below the industry average, or first-rate customer service, each of these businesses offers something distinctive. Many people take the next step after comprehending and deciding to go solar by picking a reliable solar business.

We done the legwork for you because it takes time to sort through all of these businesses to find the one that best meets your needs. The seven businesses listed below are the finest in Georgia for transitioning to solar:

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

Before any federal tax credits or subsidies, the average solar energy system in Georgia costs about $28,000. This is far more than the $22,000 national average.

This cost is based on the assumption that the average cost per watt for equipment in Georgia is $2.55 and that you require a system of about 10 kW to counteract the region’s high energy use.

Most Georgian households prioritize conserving money during the conversion process because solar systems are expensive there. Here are some suggestions we have for reducing the cost of your rooftop solar equipment in Georgia.

Make sure to benefit from solar benefits.
Think about putting in a battery storage system.
Employ a business that offers a strong warranty.
Obtain several estimates
In the sections below, we’ll go over how each of these things can help you save money.

Utilize Solar Incentive Programs

Unfortunately, Georgia doesn’t have many incentive programs for solar energy, but the ones that are there can still help you save thousands of dollars on equipment. In the table below, we’ll provide some details on the solar benefits that are currently offered.

SOLAR INCENTIVE	DESCRIPTION
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)	For up to five years after you install your system, the federal government will apply this credit toward your federal income tax liability. The credit covers 30% of the total cost of your system, which includes the panels, inverters, and batteries. When fully utilized, this credit averages out to $8,415 in Georgia.
Local Incentives	Local subsidies, loan schemes, and other benefits are available in Georgia from certain electric companies for installing solar power. These include Central Georgia EMC and Jackson EMC.

Take into account Adding a Battery

Selecting a business that can install solar batteries as part of your system is another excellent way to gradually lower the costs of your system.

Net energy metering, which gives you credit for surplus energy production and lowers your future utility costs proportionally, is one of the most significant and useful incentives for solar users across the country. Solar batteries can assist replicate the program even though net energy metering is not required in Georgia.

Your installation expenses will go higher if you add a solar battery, but you can use the power you’ve stored before you draw from the electric grid. In turn, this shortens the time it takes for your solar panels to pay for themselves and lowers the overall cost of adopting solar.

Make certain you obtain a solid warranty.

Another potential strategy to reduce the cost of your solar energy system in Georgia is to purchase warranty coverage. Georgia experiences its fair share of severe weather, including hurricanes and tropical storms, which might result in damage to your pricey panels. You would be responsible for any roof leaks or other problems your system could have in the absence of a guarantee.

Making sure you have a strong warranty in place might help you potentially save money over time and receive any necessary repairs at no additional cost. We always recommend prioritizing performance warranties.

Obtain Several Quotes

Finally, since this can result in a reduced overall cost for your solar installation, we advise requesting a couple free estimates from local businesses. Shopping around is worthwhile because there are over 50 installation firms in GA, all of which have varying costs for the tools, labor, and warranty coverage they provide.

However, we advise considering more factors than just the cost because better-quality systems and those with better warranty coverage and efficiency can end up being more valuable and costing more money in the long run.

To determine how much money you could save by switching to solar power in Georgia, try our solar calculator. Then, you can apply the aforementioned advice to cut expenses and increase your savings.

Will Solar Boost Your Georgian Home’s Value?

Yes, it is anticipated that adding a solar system to your Georgia property will increase its value. Even though the typical solar system in Georgia costs roughly $19,635 after the ITC is deducted, it is predicted to increase the value of your home by 4.1%. 3 This anticipated rise of $13,281 in Georgia, where the average home value is $323,935, is almost 70% of the system cost!

Since the value bump is based on the initial value of your house, higher-cost places should anticipate to see an even larger gain. These include towns such as:

Atlanta
Alpharetta
Brookhaven
Rowell and Milton
Additionally, Atlanta and Athens are considered two of the most forward-thinking cities in the nation for solar adoption because solar is more readily accepted there.
4 Since solar is more in demand in certain cities, it is expected that the value growth will be a little more significant there.

Should Georgians Do It Theirselves Or Hire a Professional Solar Installer?

Many prospective solar adopters in the region think about doing their own installation because going solar in GA can be expensive. Although installing your own panels is usually always more economical, we don’t advise it for a few important reasons. They consist of the following:

The appeal of warranties for DIY panel kits declines.
DIY solar batteries are not as powerful or durable as commercial ones.
When panels are placed by amateurs, roof leaks are more frequent.
More information will be provided below.

DIY Panels Offer a Less Enticing Warranty Program

First and foremost, nearly all panels designed for do-it-yourself installations are covered by a shooter warranty.

A typical professional-installed panel has a 25-year coverage for damage and power production and a 10-year craftsmanship warranty. The equipment and production life of DIY panels is just five to 10 years, and there is no craftsmanship warranty.

Warranties can give customers piece of mind, but they can also make the difference between having to pay for repairs or replacement and having the work done for nothing in a state like GA where extreme weather is a regular occurrence. Professional panels cost more and come with greater warranties, but in the long run, the coverage is frequently worthwhile.

DIY Solar Battery Solutions Don’t Work as Well

In Georgia, where there is no net energy metering program and batteries can approximate net metering, solar batteries are a terrific method to save more money over time.

DIY solar batteries are significantly less efficient than professionally installed batteries, which results in lesser energy bill savings. The 12V Battle Born battery, for instance, is a well-liked DIY solar battery and offers 1,200 amp-hours (Ah) of storage. While a Tesla Powerwall II provides 13,500 amp-hours, which is more than 10 times as much.

Professional batteries, which are frequently lithium batteries, are more expensive, but they typically have considerably higher capacity and are generally far more effective at reducing your electricity costs and helping you save money over time. In Georgia, the batteries will typically pay for themselves.

DIY Projects Are More Likely to Result in Roof Leaks

The risk of roof penetrations for solar systems is always present, but it is significantly reduced when work is done by a professional (and covered by warranties). Your roof is significantly more likely to leak if you install the panels yourself, which could result in significant property damage.

Due to Georgia’s above-average annual rainfall—which is nearly twice as much as the national average—residents are already at an increased risk of roof leaks.

It will almost likely be less expensive to install your panels yourself, but hiring a skilled solar installation business can pay off if it means preventing expensive property damage and lowering the danger of catastrophic water damage in your home.

What Qualities Should a Solar Installer Have for Georgians?

You’ll save time and effort if you focus your search on what matters the most to you and the success of your solar panel system among the more than 50 installation businesses in Georgia. When selecting a business in Georgia, the following are some of the most crucial factors to take into account:

The system warranty protection you receive
The cost and financing choices provided to you
The solar solutions offered
We’ll go into more detail about why we think these aspects are some of the most important ones to look for in Georgia below.

Warranty Protection

One of the most significant considerations you should give when choosing a solar company in Georgia, in our opinion, is warranty coverage. As was already established, Georgia experiences hurricanes, cyclones, above-average rainfall, and other extreme weather that might result in damage to external solar systems. If the installation isn’t done correctly, it may also increase the likelihood of your roof leaking.

Finding a business that offers extensive and thorough warranty coverage for the machinery, effectiveness, and workmanship not only gives you peace of mind, but it may also wind up saving you money over time.

Typically, we advise asking especially about any promises for the production of electricity. These can make it more likely that you’ll realize the savings specified in your initial estimate.

Options for pricing and payment

The cost of going solar in Georgia with the firm you’re considering, the value you get for your money, and the payment methods available to you should all be considered next.

It’s wise to acquire a few quotations and compare depending on the cost and what you get for the money as every solar installers have various rates for their work and the equipment installed.

If a company doesn’t have the payment methods that suit you, you can eliminate them from consideration fast. As a result, we advise choosing your chosen method of payment—cash, a loan, a lease, or a PPA—and avoiding businesses who don’t provide it.

Energy Services

Finally, we advise considering the goods and services that each company provides. In Georgia and other jurisdictions that do not require net energy metering, solar batteries are both a common and prudent investment. If you decide you do want a battery, you may rapidly eliminate businesses like Blue Raven Solar that don’t install them.

You can also choose whether you want additional services or goods, such as EV chargers, energy efficiency enhancements, or other add-on items. Eliminating businesses that don’t provide what you need is simple and easy.

The Best Solar Companies in Georgia, According to Our Ranking Methodology

We want to spread knowledge about solar energy and make the conversion process as easy and advantageous for our readers as we can. Because of this, we take the time to thoroughly evaluate and rank the businesses we suggest, and we base our choices on what will benefit you as a homeowner and potential solar customer the most.

The following criteria were used to rank the solar panel businesses in Georgia:

Provided Solar Warranties (20%)
solar energy (20%)
Options for Price and Payment (15%)
Reputation, credentials, and qualifications (15%)
Knowledge (15%)
(10) Availability
Factors affecting social, environmental, and corporate governance (5%)
Below, we’ll discuss how we rank Georgia’s solar providers using these parameters, but you can read more about our approach to learn more about why we choose to emphasize these factors. It’s also important to note that none of our decisions are ever affected by our business relationships.

Provided Solar Warranties

If installed properly, solar panels normally don’t pose a significant risk to your home. However, the potential of panel and property damage is increased in the region because GA experiences a lot of extreme weather each year.

Because they give more safety and peace of mind, even in Georgia’s most harsh weather, businesses who offer extensive and lengthy warranties are ranked higher.

The industry benchmark we use to compare businesses is ten years of craftsmanship coverage, twenty to twenty-five years of coverage for panel efficiency.

The top businesses will provide performance warranty protection, which guarantees that your system will function as promised or you’ll receive a reimbursement for the difference.

Energy Services

We then consider the offered services and goods. Naturally, businesses that offer a larger selection of services will draw in more clients. However, since homeowners in places like GA use a lot of energy and don’t have access to net energy metering, we expressly give preference to businesses that provide solar batteries and efficiency enhancements.

Options for pricing and payment

Anywhere, but particularly in Georgia, where the cost of a solar system is significantly more than the national average, the whole cost of going solar with a company should be taken into account. We give preference to businesses that can keep installation costs low by offering equipment discounts or labor at competitive rates.

Additionally, we give preference to businesses who provide internal financing with reasonable interest rates and adaptable down payment requirements. These choices assist in lowering the barrier of entry into renewable energy as well as the overall cost of going solar.

Reputation, credentials, and qualifications

The company’s general credentials and standing in the neighborhood solar sector are the next things we examine. We look for the following qualifications and certifications:

• the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners’ certification (NABCEP)
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building certification (LEED)
• Memberships in regional solar groups, such as the Georgia Solar Energy Association (GASEIA) Licenses as an electrician or general contractor

In order to assess each company’s reputation in the market and in GA as a whole, we also read through client reviews for each one. Companies with complaints and unfavorable reviews are ranked lower than those with favorable evaluations and a propensity for referral business.

Knowledge of Georgia

In Georgia, the solar market is thriving, and many new businesses are springing up to satisfy the rising demand. Young businesses can void your warranties if they fail due to the unfortunate fact that they are less likely to survive in the cutthroat solar market.

Companies with five or more years of industry experience are given preference, and those with ten or more years of experience receive a perfect score from us.

Availability

Next, we examine each provider’s service area. While some larger businesses cover the entire state, smaller, regional businesses occasionally concentrate on big cities like Atlanta. We give larger businesses with statewide presences a better ranking because they will appeal to more of our readers.

Corporate governance, social, and environmental factors

Finally, we consider each company’s social and environmental impact as well as how it conducts itself in the market. We give businesses a higher ranking if they are devoted to promoting solar and renewable energy in general, publicly share their data, address end-of-life items to ensure that used solar equipment is disposed of correctly or recycled.