Solar Panels Cost $9.4k-$18k in Effingham County, GA | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Effingham County, GA in 2024?
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You will spend, on average, $3.36 per watt in the month of November, 2024 in Effingham County, GA to go solar.
You should expect costs to be $3,360, on average, for every 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of solar energy your solar panel system will need to generate. We are able to conclude this as a result of this rate price cost. In Effingham County, the price of a 5 kW solar installation is generally $11,760, after you subtract 30% federal tax credit. It's worth noting that a bigger system may be needed to fulfill your energy needs.
To the left, you have the option to select your county and see the typical roof size along with the average maximum capacity for residential solar in homes in your area. Below is a detailed summary of the costs, 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.
Effingham County: $11,760US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Effingham 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.
Effingham County: $20,657US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Effingham County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Effingham County.
Roof size 778sq. ft.
Capacity 10.88kW DC
Electricity 13.4kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Effingham County, GA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The monthly kWh usage for a Effingham County energy consumer is 1,028, with an average electric bill of 156.07. Compact dwellings, such as townhouses and condos, are also encompassed in the statistics mentioned in the prior sentence.
In November 2024, the electricity rate in Effingham County, GA is 15.18¢ per kWh.
At this time, an 8 kW solar system costs $18,816 when including the 30% federal income tax credit.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Effingham County
On the left, you will find a price breakdown for multiple solar panel system sizes set up in Effingham County. Even though a larger solar installation comes with a higher price, it also yields higher electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.
In the solar panel cost calculator situated below and to the right, you can examine a cost and benefit breakdown to match an average $156.07 electric bill in Effingham County. To get custom results, change the $156.07 to reflect your average electricity payment.
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
$9,408
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 2.53 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 116 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,263 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,179 a year
Est. Price
$11,760
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 3.16 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 145 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,829 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,415 a year
Est. Price
$14,112
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 3.8 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 174 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,395 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,650 a year
Est. Price
$16,464
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 4.43 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 203 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,961 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,886 a year
Est. Price
$18,816
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 12,575 kWh
Est. monthly savings $156
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.02 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 231 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 12,432 mi less a year
Effingham County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
For rural farms and small businesses, the REAP Grant might currently cover between 80% and 100% of the expenses for installing solar or wind energy systems. Curious if you fit this category? Confirm your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Nearly all residents are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, which makes it a practical option in many states in the country. In addition to the federal incentives, state and local programs also aim to boost solar energy uptake.
Georgia provides 9 solar rebates and incentives from multiple utility companies and government 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 Effingham County, GA?
If you expect to live in your home beyond the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an clear choice in Effingham County. By installing a 5 kW solar system in Effingham County, GA, you can expect to save roughly $25,696.8 over 20 years, with the break even point typically being 6 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Effingham County, GA
Failing to have solar panels or an alternative backup energy results in missing the savings mentioned earlier and being completely reliant on your electric utility for electricity. Numerous recent examples in the news have highlighted that complete reliance on your utility company is not always the best option.
Lately, customers in Effingham County have encountered an average of 1.17 utility outages each year. On average, each outage lasts for 125.23 minutes. Major events like thunderstorms, planned maintenance, or overloaded power grids can considerably extend these durations.
See the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Effingham County.
A solar panel system, whether or not it has a backup battery, could reduce the impact of future outages you might experience.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Effingham County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Effingham County, GA?
Your Energy Needs - Investing in larger solar panel systems costs more upfront, but the price per watt is lowered as the system size grows. For most homeowners, setting up a system that can generate enough power to eliminate their entire electric bill is useful, providing significant savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels, like many other products, are available in various makes and models. Your contractor’s potential brand preferences make it crucial to choose a reputable contractor. For buyers desiring a more favorable long-term experience, investing in superior quality makes and models is critical.
Solar Panel Type - The standard in the industry is now monocrystalline panels, and justifiably so. These panels have a higher cost but yield more energy. The majority of installers in the industry work with panels constructed of this material.
Your Property - Trees, uneven landscapes, or other obstacles can increase the complexity of the installation. These days, solar installers can leverage satellite images to assess your home and factor in these factors into the first cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Companies compensate their employees in varying amounts, and these costs are borne by consumers. Companies that invest in higher wages often see higher reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by region, will influence your final installation cost. Reliable local installers will build these figures into your preliminary estimates to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Effingham County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Effingham County, GA Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average per-watt cost for solar panels in Effingham County, GA is $3.36/W. The approximate cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Effingham County, GA, after deducting federal tax credits, is $11,760.
Currently, Georgia residents can benefit from 9 rebates and incentives available through various utilities and government bodies. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Even though cash payments yield the greatest savings, several financing options for solar panels today are also financially beneficial. Information about financing options is typically included in initial quotes provided by installers.
Yes, the typical payback time for 5 kW solar panel systems in Effingham County, GA is 6 years, and the expected electricity cost savings over 20 years is $25,696.8.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
