Does Georgia Have Community Solar Laws?

Georgia does not currently have a statewide community solar law or a formal legislative framework mandating utilities to establish or support community solar projects. However, the state has seen steady growth in voluntary and pilot programs that promote community solar energy through utility-led initiatives. These programs are primarily regulated by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), which oversees the state’s electricity market and ensures consumer protections.

The Georgia PSC has approved limited-scale community solar projects led by investor-owned utilities such as Georgia Power, the largest electric utility in the state. Georgia Power’s Community Solar Program, approved in 2019, represents one of the most notable efforts to make shared solar accessible to residents who cannot install rooftop solar systems on their properties. This program enables customers to subscribe to a share of a community solar project and receive bill credits for the electricity generated by their portion.

Georgia Power’s Community Solar Program

The Georgia Power Community Solar Program operates under the PSC’s guidelines, allowing customers to purchase subscription blocks from solar arrays located throughout the state. Subscribers receive monthly bill credits based on the energy output of their portion of the system. Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis and primarily targets residential customers.

Each subscription block typically represents 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar capacity, and customers can subscribe to multiple blocks depending on availability. This approach ensures that residents who cannot install solar panels, such as renters or homeowners with shaded roofs, can still access the benefits of solar power. Credits are applied directly to the subscriber’s utility bill, reducing overall electricity costs.

Municipal and Cooperative Utility Programs

While Georgia Power’s initiative is the most recognized, several Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) and municipal utilities across Georgia have launched smaller community solar projects for their local customers. For example:

Walton EMC, serving parts of northeast Georgia, operates a successful community solar program with multiple solar farms
Green Power EMC, a cooperative consortium, has helped develop community solar installations across rural communities, expanding clean energy access to areas not served by major utilities
Jackson EMC and Cobb EMC also provide subscription-based community solar opportunities to their members, often offering lower costs than private rooftop installations

Low-Income Provisions

Georgia’s community solar framework lacks specific low-income solar mandates, but some utilities incorporate limited provisions for low-to-moderate-income (LMI) households. These efforts are often voluntary rather than legislative. For instance, Walton EMC’s Solar Share Program includes pricing models designed to make solar subscriptions more affordable. However, unlike states such as Colorado or Illinois, Georgia does not currently have dedicated funding or state-level incentive programs specifically supporting low-income participation in community solar projects.

What Is Community Solar?

Community solar, also known as shared solar or solar gardens, allows multiple participants to share the benefits of a single solar power installation. Instead of placing solar panels on their own property, subscribers invest in or lease a portion of a centrally located community solar farm. The energy generated by the system is fed into the local utility grid, and participants receive credits on their electricity bills proportional to their subscription share.

Community solar is particularly beneficial for:

Renters or apartment dwellers who cannot install rooftop panels
Homeowners with roofs that are shaded, old, or unsuitable for panel installation
Individuals who cannot afford the upfront costs of residential solar systems
Businesses or institutions seeking predictable energy costs without installing equipment onsite

By decoupling ownership from location, community solar energy offers a flexible path for more residents to participate in renewable energy generation.

Advantages of Community Solar Over Residential Solar

While residential solar provides the benefit of ownership and direct energy generation, community solar projects eliminate many barriers associated with installation and maintenance. Key advantages include:

No Roof Requirement: Participants do not need to own property or have adequate roof space
Lower Upfront Cost: Subscriptions or shares typically cost less than purchasing and installing panels
Shared Maintenance: The project operator handles all upkeep, monitoring, and repairs
Flexibility: Subscriptions can often be transferred or canceled with minimal fees, unlike fixed rooftop systems
Scalability: Community projects can serve hundreds of households at once, increasing solar penetration across communities

For Georgia residents, this model has opened new doors to solar participation in a state where property ownership rates vary and many residents live in multi-unit buildings.

Why Community Solar?

Community solar provides numerous benefits beyond clean energy generation. It strengthens the local economy, empowers communities to take control of their energy costs, and supports Georgia’s broader renewable energy transition.

Energy Access and Equity

The most significant benefit of community solar is energy equity. It allows all residents, regardless of homeownership status or income, to participate in renewable energy programs. In Georgia, about one-third of households rent their homes, which limits rooftop solar adoption. Community solar projects bridge that gap by offering an inclusive model for participation.

Cost Savings

Subscribers to Georgia community solar programs enjoy predictable, and often reduced, electricity costs. Although savings vary depending on program structure and utility rates, participants can typically expect 5 to 15% annual bill savings compared to standard utility costs. Moreover, since the energy is produced locally, it helps stabilize regional energy prices.

Environmental Benefits

Each community solar farm offsets carbon emissions and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. For instance, a 1 MW community solar project in Georgia can offset approximately 1,400 metric tons of CO₂ annually, the equivalent of removing 300 cars from the road. Collectively, these projects contribute to cleaner air, improved public health, and progress toward the state’s renewable energy goals.

Local Economic Impact

Community solar developments also drive economic benefits through job creation and local investment. Construction, operation, and maintenance of community solar farms generate employment opportunities for electricians, engineers, and construction workers. Rural communities, where land is more readily available, often benefit from lease payments and increased tax revenues from these installations.

Energy Resilience

In regions prone to power outages or grid congestion, distributed generation through community solar can enhance grid resilience. By spreading generation across multiple decentralized systems, the grid becomes more robust and less vulnerable to centralized disruptions.

Are There Community Solar Projects in Georgia?

Yes, Georgia currently hosts several active community solar projects, though participation is primarily driven by utilities and electric cooperatives rather than state mandates. As of 2026, more than a dozen projects operate across the state, collectively representing over 20 MW of shared solar capacity.

Largest Community Solar Projects in Georgia

Some of the most prominent community solar farms include:

Georgia Power Community Solar Facilities (Across the State) – Multiple installations totaling several megawatts, supplying power to residential and small-business subscribers
Walton EMC Solar Share Project (Monroe County) – Among the largest cooperative solar initiatives, offering flexible subscription plans to local members
Green Power EMC Cooperative Solar Farm (Hazlehurst and Terrell Counties) – A collaboration among 38 EMCs, providing renewable energy to thousands of cooperative members statewide
Cobb EMC Community Solar Project (Marietta) – A project that supplies solar energy shares to Cobb EMC members, with subscriptions selling out rapidly after launch
Jackson EMC Solar Energy Center (Jefferson) – Offers solar energy subscriptions through its SolarShare program, serving both residential and commercial customers

Residents in Georgia can join community solar projects offered by their local utility or cooperative. Subscription availability depends on utility service territory and program capacity. Interested residents typically follow these steps:

Confirm Eligibility: Verify that your electric utility offers a community solar option
Select Subscription Size: Choose the number of kW or energy blocks to subscribe to
Sign Agreement: Complete a subscription or participation contract with the utility
Receive Credits: Once enrolled, subscribers receive monthly credits based on their share’s production

Georgia Power and several EMCs manage their own application portals, simplifying enrollment. Waitlists are common, particularly in regions where community solar capacity is limited.

How Does Community Solar Work in Georgia?

Community solar projects in Georgia function through a shared ownership or subscription model. A large solar array, typically ranging from 500 kW to 5 MW, is constructed at a central site. The energy generated is fed directly into the local utility grid, not to individual homes. Subscribers then receive bill credits representing their share of the energy produced.

In Georgia, these projects operate under virtual net metering or bill crediting systems managed by the participating utility. This means customers receive credits on their monthly bills equivalent to the value of the electricity their share produces. While Georgia has no statewide net metering laws that mandate credit rates, utilities generally calculate credits based on the avoided-cost rate, the price the utility would otherwise pay to produce or purchase that electricity.

Example: Georgia Power Community Solar Model

Under the Georgia Power Community Solar Program, each subscription block corresponds to 1 kW of solar capacity. Customers pay a fixed monthly subscription fee and, in return, receive variable monthly credits depending on how much energy their share generates. During sunnier months, credit values increase, further reducing electric bills. The program’s design offers transparency and predictability without requiring participants to own or maintain solar equipment.

Community solar installations in Georgia can benefit from the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) which allows commercial project owners to depreciate solar assets over a five-year period, improving project economics

At the state level, Georgia lacks direct community solar incentives, but some municipalities offer property tax exemptions for renewable energy systems, which can indirectly benefit project developers. Utility cooperatives occasionally provide additional financial support or discounts for participants, enhancing affordability.

In addition to delivering cost savings, many community solar farms in Georgia are integrated with educational and outreach programs. Cooperatives often use solar installations as teaching tools for local schools and communities, promoting renewable energy awareness and STEM education.

How Much Does Community Solar Cost in Georgia?

The community solar cost in Georgia varies by utility and subscription model but remains significantly lower than installing individual rooftop panels. As of 2026, Georgia residents can expect to pay between $20 and $35 per month per kW block of community solar subscription. Pricing typically depends on the project’s size, utility company, and whether the program is designed to generate immediate savings or long-term energy credits.

Most community solar programs in Georgia use one of two pricing models:

Fixed-Rate Subscription: Participants pay a stable monthly fee per subscribed block. The value of credits may fluctuate based on generation
Pay-As-You-Go Model: Customers pay based on the actual energy their share produces each month, aligning costs directly with production

For example, under Georgia Power’s program, a 1 kW subscription block costs around $25 per month. Subscribers receive credits equivalent to the value of electricity generated, typically between $2.50 and $4.50 monthly, depending on sunshine and season. Although savings may appear modest initially, they accumulate over time, especially as utility rates rise.

Compared to residential solar, which can cost $2.75 to $3.25 per watt installed (or $19,000 to $23,000 for a 7 kW system), community solar offers a low-barrier, no-upfront-cost alternative. Participants avoid equipment, installation, and maintenance expenses, making it ideal for those seeking affordable access to renewable energy.

Several factors influence community solar cost in Georgia:

Utility Tariffs: Credit rates differ among utilities, affecting overall savings
System Location: Solar productivity depends on site conditions and solar irradiance
Program Duration: Some programs lock subscribers into fixed-term contracts, while others allow month-to-month participation
Administrative Fees: Certain programs charge minor enrollment or management fees

On average, Georgia subscribers can expect 5 to 15% bill savings over the course of their subscription. For businesses or organizations with larger energy needs, these savings can amount to thousands of dollars annually.