Solar Panels Cost $9.4k-$18k in Columbia County, GA | February, 2025
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How much do solar panels cost in Columbia County, GA in 2025?
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Getting a solar system is about $3.37 per watt in the month of February, 2025 in Columbia County, GA.
It will cost $3,370, on average, for every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar panels is able to generate. After applying the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW panel install in Columbia County typically costs $11,795. Depending on your energy consumption habits, you might require a bigger system.
Use the menu on the left to pick your county and find out the average roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar on residences in your area. Below, you can see a summary of the price, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Columbia County: $11,795US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Columbia County: 6 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Columbia County: $19,829US Average: $16,301
Solar Potential in Columbia County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Columbia County.
Roof size 822sq. ft.
Capacity 11.5kW DC
Electricity 14.8kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Columbia County, GA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Columbia County's average monthly kWh consumption is 1,019, with the average electric bill around 152.83. This figure also includes data from apartments and smaller homes with lower energy needs.
The rate of electricity in Columbia County, GA, averaging, is 15¢ per kWh in February 2025.
Right now, an 8 kW setup is priced at around $26,960 before incentives, but after the 30% federal tax credit, the total comes to $18,872.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Columbia County
Visible below and to the left is the price structure for multiple sizes of solar panel systems in Columbia County. More extensive solar installations carry a greater cost, yet they also provide higher electricity savings and more generous income tax credits.
In the calculator located to the right and below, you will find a breakdown of solar panel costs and benefits, calculated with an average $152.83 electric bill for Columbia County. Simply change the $152.83 to your typical electricity bill for more accurate results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $943 a year
Est. Price
$9,436
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 6,287 kWh
Est. monthly savings $79
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.12 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 97 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,253 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,179 a year
Est. Price
$11,795
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,859 kWh
Est. monthly savings $98
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.65 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 122 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,566 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,415 a year
Est. Price
$14,154
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 9,431 kWh
Est. monthly savings $118
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.18 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 146 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,879 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,650 a year
Est. Price
$16,513
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,003 kWh
Est. monthly savings $138
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.71 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 171 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,192 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,886 a year
Est. Price
$18,872
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 12,575 kWh
Est. monthly savings $153
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.13 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 190 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,226 mi less a year
Columbia County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2025
Between 80% and 100% of your solar or wind turbine installation costs may be covered by the REAP Grant if you own a rural small business or farm. Think you fit this category? Check your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Homeowners can benefit from a 30% federal income tax credit for adding residential solar panels, making solar power a feasible option across much of the country. Additionally, a number of state and local programs are available to promote solar adoption.
Residents of Georgia can access 9 solar rebate and incentive programs from a range of utilities and governmental organizations.
Solar incentives in GAIncentive Description Value
Coweta-Fayette EMC - SmartChoice Home Program
Value:Up to $50
SmartChoice is an incentive program for residential Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation customers. Eligible participants may receive rebates or other financial assistance to purchase and install certain renewable or energy-efficient equipment. Specific eligible projects and rebates will vary from time to time. Current offers include home EV chargers, heat pumps, solar water heaters, and smart thermostats. Rebates are flat amounts and vary based on the type of project. Additional information is available from the CFEMC website.
Jackson EMC - Right Choice Sun Power Rebate Program
Value:Up to $4,500
Residential customers of the Jackson EMC may be entitled to a significant rebate on solar PV or thermal systems. The incentives serve as "fair compensation" for renewable energy credits customers generate through the use of their equipment. Interested homeowners should apply while designing and purchasing their system. JEMC will conduct site surveys, review plans, and grant provisional approval for net metering as a condition for installation to begin. Once approved, customers should choose a NABCEP certified contractor for installation work. Currently, customers may receive a one-time rebate of $450 per kW of DC capacity in addition to compensation received from net metering. Additional information is available from the JEMC website.
Georgia Green Loans Save & Sustain Program
Value:Varies
Georgia Green Loans (GGL) is a microlender funded through grants from the 2009 federal stimulus package. Today, they offer specialized financing to Georgia businesses looking to make energy efficiency capital improvements. Eligible projects for loan funding include insulation/weatherization, HVAC, renewable energy, and appliances meeting ENERGY STAR certification. Available loan principal ranges from $500 to $50,000 with a five-year maximum repayment term. Interest rates may vary but will remain consistently low. Additional information is available through the GGL website.
City of Atlanta - Sustainable Development Design Standards
Value:Varies
Atlanta has required new city buildings or publicly-funded local projects to meet certain green building standards through an ordinance first approved in 2003. Any building or lot over 5,000 feet must achieve LEED Silver certification at a minimum, though designers are encouraged to pursue a higher level of certification. Compliance with the ordinance is measured through required annual reports from each applicable government department. Additional information is available from the Atlanta city website.
Central Georgia EMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Value:Varies
Through partnerships with local banks, residential Central Georgia EMC customers may be eligible for rebates on energy efficiency improvement projects. Incentives through the program may also fund the building of new homes built to certain green standards. Qualifying projects will vary from time to time. Interested customers should visit the CGEMC website to view and apply for current offers.
Walton EMC - HomePlus Loan Program
Value:Varies
Through a partnership with the GEMC credit union, Walton EMC customers may be eligible for special financing to fund energy efficiency improvement projects and equipment. A variety of upgrades qualify, including insulation/weatherization, windows, HVAC, and new renewable equipment including solar PV/thermal/heating systems. Interest rates may vary, but they will remain consistently low. The application process includes standard credit checks, a property title review, and an audit of the customer's bill payment record. Additional information is available through the Walton EMC website.
Coweta-Fayette EMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Value:Varies
SmartChoice is an incentive program for residential Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation customers. Through the program, any homeowner on the CFEMC grid is entitled to a no-cost energy audit. Available auditing tools are comprehensive, even considering air leakage from the HVAC system. Depending on a customer's audit results, they may be entitled to rebates or other financial incentives on new equipment or improvements. Available rebate offers will vary from time to time. Rebates may also be applied to the construction of new energy-efficient homes. Additional information is available from the CFEMC website
Central Georgia EMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Home Plus Loan Program
Value:Varies
Through partnerships with local banks and lenders, residential and business customers of the Central Georgia Electric Membership Company (CGEMC) may be eligible for special financing on energy efficiency improvements. The property must meet certain ENERGY STAR standards to be eligible for loan funding. Interest rates remain uniquely low but will vary from time to time. The application process for residential customers involves an energy efficiency audit by a CGEMC representative. Projects not recommended by the auditor may not be recommended for financing. Additional information is available from the CGEMC website.
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light - Energy Improvement Grants
Value:Varies
Places of worship, including religious schools, seeking to make energy efficiency improvements may be eligible for grant funding from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light. The maximum allowed grant is $10,000 before application fees. Institutions must match grant funding through creation care/building funds, tithes, or other means. Allowable projects include (but are not limited to) windows, insulation/weatherization, and new solar PV/wind energy devices. New HVAC systems are not eligible. Once a grant is awarded, the institution must submit a follow-up report one year later. Additional information is available from the GIPL website.
Are solar panels worth it in Columbia County, GA?
If you're intending to reside in your home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a wise decision in Columbia County. If you install a 5 kW solar system in Columbia County, GA, you might save $24,884.2 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at roughly 6 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Columbia County, GA
Apart from missing out on the savings highlighted earlier, not having solar panels or an alternative backup energy source leaves you fully reliant on your electric utility for electricity. The media has demonstrated several cases where complete reliance on your utility isn't always the best scenario.
In recent years, utilities in Columbia County have had an average of 1.21 outages per customer annually. The typical duration of each outage is 116.88 minutes. When significant events such as planned maintenance, grid management errors or heavy rain and flooding occur, these time frames can become much longer.
Take a look at the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Columbia County.
Regardless of whether a backup battery is included or not, a solar panel system could reduce the strain of possible future outages.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Columbia County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Columbia County, GA?
Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt is reduced with larger solar panel systems, even though the initial cost is higher. A lot of people find it advantageous to set up a solar energy system that can fully cover their entire electric bill. This results in optimal savings.
Make & Model - Similar to many products, solar panels come in a variety of makes and models. The potential system preferences of your contractor mean that it is it's even more vital to select a recommended company. The employment of superior materials is likely to result in a more favorable long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have secured their spot as the industry standard, and for valid reasons. Even with a higher cost, this technology yield more energy. Most installers opt for panels constructed using this material.
Your Property - Each property and home has its own unique features. Irregular terrain, trees, or additional hindrances may add to the difficulty of the installation. These days, satellite images enable many solar installers to assess your home and include these elements into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The varying wages that companies offer their employees lead to costs that are ultimately borne by consumers. Businesses paying more to their employees typically receive higher reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Regional differences in permitting and utility interconnection fees will affect your installation cost. Quality local installers will integrate these numbers into your preliminary quotes to avoid any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Columbia County cities
As of February, 2025, the average cost for solar panels in Columbia County, GA is $3.37/W. In Columbia County, GA, the cost of installing a 5 kW solar panel system is approximately $11,795 after applying the federal tax credit.
In Georgia, you have access to 9 rebates and incentives provided by numerous utilities and government organizations. In addition, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to almost everyone.
Although paying in cash offers the most savings, numerous financing options for solar panels now exist that are cost-effective. Many installers have financing partners and will provide this information in your initial quotes.
Yes, homeowners in Columbia County, GA can expect 5 kW solar panels to pay off in 6 years, with an estimated $24,884.2 in electricity savings during a 20-year span.