Solar Panels Cost $9.3k-$18k in Richmond County, GA | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Richmond County, GA in 2024?
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To go solar is approximately $3.34/W in Richmond County, GA in November, 2024.
Applying the cost per watt, you are able to come to the conclusion that for every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar panel system can generate, you will need to invest $3,340 to have it installed. In Richmond County, a 5 kW solar panel install will set you back, on average, $11,690 after the 30% federal income tax credit. Please consider, a 5kW system might not be sufficient to ensure your energy needs are met.
To your left, you have the option to select your county and view the typical roof size along with the average maximum capacity for solar panel installations on homes in your area. Below, you can see a summary of the price, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Richmond County: $11,690US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Richmond 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.
Richmond County: $20,015US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Richmond County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Richmond County.
Roof size 876sq. ft.
Capacity 12.25kW DC
Electricity 15.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Richmond County, GA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The average electricity usage in Richmond County is 1,031 kWh per month, resulting in a 152.98 monthly electric bill average. This figure also encompasses the energy needs of apartments and smaller homes.
The electricity rate per kWh in Richmond County, GA for November 2024 is on average 14.83¢.
Upfront, an 8 kW solar panel installation will cost around $26,720, after a 30% federal tax credit, the total comes down to $18,704.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Richmond County
On the left side below, the cost breakdown for multiple sizes of solar panel systems set up in Richmond County is displayed. As expected, with a larger solar system, you will have a higher upfront cost, but the advantages are greater energy savings and greater income tax credits.
Refer to the solar panel cost calculator to the right and below to see the cost and benefit details derived from an average $152.98 electric bill in Richmond County. Simply replace the $152.98 with your usual electricity bill amount to see more specific 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
$9,352
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 2.31 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 106 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,720 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,179 a year
Est. Price
$11,690
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 2.89 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 133 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,150 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,415 a year
Est. Price
$14,028
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 3.47 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 159 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,580 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,650 a year
Est. Price
$16,366
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 4.04 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 186 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,010 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,886 a year
Est. Price
$18,704
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 4.5 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 207 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 11,136 mi less a year
Richmond County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
For rural small businesses and agricultural properties, the REAP Grant could provide funding that covers between 80% and 100% of the necessary expenses for installing renewable energy systems. If you think you might qualify, we suggest trying our REAP Grant eligibility tool to check.
For those looking into residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to most people, which makes solar a feasible option in many states. State and local governments have various programs to promote the switch to solar energy.
Georgia has 9 solar rebate and incentive initiatives offered by various utilities and government agencies.
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 Richmond County, GA?
For those expecting to remain in their homes after the solar system's payback period, installing solar panels is a smart choice in Richmond County. By installing a 5 kW solar system in Richmond County, GA, you can expect to save approximately $25,025.2 over 20 years, with the break even point typically being 6 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Richmond County, GA
Failing to have solar panels or an alternative backup energy means missing the savings mentioned earlier and being entirely reliant on your electric utility for electricity. Recent media coverage has demonstrated that complete reliance on your utility is not always ideal.
In recent times, the average number of utility outages per customer annually in Richmond County has been about 1.21. On average, an outage lasts 116.88 minutes. When major events such as tornadoes, construction accidents, or aging infrastructure occur, these durations can increase significantly
Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Richmond County.
A solar energy system could help mitigate the effects of future outages, with or without a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Richmond County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Richmond County, GA?
Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems have a higher upfront cost, but the cost per watt diminishes. Setting up a solar system that makes sufficient electricity to offset their electric bill is useful to most individuals, resulting in savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels and mounting equipment are offered in a variety of makes and models. Considering the brand preferences that your installer may have, it's crucial to choose a highly rated contractor. To ensure a more favorable long-term experience, buyers should consider higher quality materials.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the standard in the industry, and it's not hard to see why. These panels have a higher cost but offer a higher energy efficiency. Many installers in the industry use panels constructed of this material.
Your Property - No two properties or homes are the same. Trees, sloped land, or additional considerations can make the installation process more challenging. These days, satellite images allow the majority of solar installers to assess your home and factor in these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The wages that companies pay their employees are different, and these costs are inevitably shown in consumer prices. Businesses paying more to their employees often get higher reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your installation cost will be influenced by area-specific permitting and utility interconnection fees. Quality installers will factor these costs into your preliminary quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Richmond County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Richmond County, GA Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average per-watt cost for solar panels in Richmond County, GA is $3.34/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Richmond County, GA will roughly cost $11,690.
If you live in Georgia, you can find 9 rebates and incentives through different utilities and government agencies. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Even though paying cash yields the best savings, there are now numerous financing options for solar panels that are also advantageous. Financing options are frequently available through installers and will be included in your initial quotes.
Yes, in Richmond County, GA, the average payback period for 5 kW solar panels is 6 years, resulting in average electricity savings of $25,025.2 over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
