Resident and Business Solar Information
Fulton County is working to join the Atlanta Regional Commission and the City of Atlanta as a SolSmart-designated community. SolSmart is a national program funded by the Department of Energy that has helped hundreds of local governments implement best practices to make it easier for residents and businesses to install and access solar energy.
Getting Started
This webpage represents a collection of solar information and resources for residents and businesses. For general information about the basics of solar energy, please refer to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power or the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.
The Benefits of Going Solar
Solar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. Solar energy reduces carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies, creates local jobs, improves electric grid resilience during peak demand, and can save money on electricity costs. More information about the solar industry in Georgia can be found on the Solar Energy Industries Association’s Georgia page.
Solar Maps and Potential
Google’s Project Sunroof tool uses Google Earth imagery to quickly provide solar savings estimates for homes and businesses. You can also estimate the electricity production of solar projects using the National Laboratory of the Rockies’ PVWatts Calculator.
Finding a Contractor
Certified solar contractors can be found through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Professional Directory. Most solar contractors provide free assessments for homes and businesses that are considering adding solar panels. In addition to looking at the estimated costs and savings, pay attention to warranties, maintenance plans, customer reviews, and any guarantees associated with the system. Obtaining multiple quotes will help ensure you get the option that works best for you.
Permitting and Inspection
Permitting and inspection for solar panels is almost entirely done by the cities in Fulton County. Fulton County still does permitting and inspection for approximately one square mile that is unincorporated, located along Fulton Industrial Boulevard. A map of Fulton County cities and unincorporated Fulton County can be found here.
Please refer to your city’s website to determine the permitting and inspection procedures there. For more information about permitting and inspection in unincorporated Fulton County, please visit the Fulton County Public Works Permits and Plan Review webpage.
Utility Interconnection and Net Metering
Interconnection is the process of connecting your solar energy system to your local utility’s electric grid. Each electric utility has their own interconnection process. More information about Georgia Power’s interconnection process can be found on their Ready to Install Residential Rooftop Solar webpage. For other electric utilities’ interconnection procedures, visit your utility’s website.
Solar power that you use right away automatically translates into less electricity that you need to use (and pay for) from your electric utility. Occasionally, solar systems produce more electricity than a building can use. In this situation, some states require electric utilities to pay customers for the electricity that is sent back to the grid, commonly referred to as net metering. In 2001 the Georgia General Assembly allowed net metering in Georgia but did not mandate it. This means that the decision to offer net metering or not is made by each electric utility. Georgia Power currently offers customers a credit per kWh, but it is less than the full retail price. Please reach out to your electric utility to determine the net metering rate, if any.
Financing and Tax Credits
Residential solar systems range in price from $15,000-$30,000, and commercial systems typically cost more. Solar installations can be paid for through upfront payments, loans, leases, or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Leases and PPAs, also called Solar Energy Procurement Agreements in Georgia, are a great option if you cannot pay the full cost upfront. With a lease you pay a monthly fee, and with a PPA you pay for the electricity produced each month. Fulton County financed the solar panels on county buildings with a 20-year PPA. For more information about solar financing options, refer to the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division webpage. Information about solar financing programs in Georgia can be found on the Georgia Solar Energy Association webpage.
The federal government offered a residential solar tax credit that expired on December 31, 2025. However, commercial systems that are installed by December 31, 2027, can still receive a 30% federal tax credit. This means that third-party owned systems like leases and PPAs still qualify, with the tax credit going to the system owner who may pass the savings on to the customer.
Consumer Protections and State Laws
General information about consumer protection is available on the Interstate Renewable Energy Council website. One of the primary roadblocks to solar for homeowners can be from Homeowners’ Associations, or HOAs. HOA, zoning, and other solar laws vary by city. There is no statewide law in Georgia that prevents HOAs from restricting solar panel installations. More information about Georgia state laws can be found on the Georgia Solar Guide website.
Job Training and Educational Opportunities
The following Georgia colleges offer North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners-approved training.
· Georgia Piedmont Technical College
· Georgia Tech
· Gwinnett Technical College
· West Georgia Technical College
Cherry Street, a local solar provider, also offers North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners-approved training through its Solar School. Cherry Street’s Solar School is often free for participants.
Solar Energy and Fulton County Government
More information about the solar panels on Fulton County government buildings can be found on our Solar Program webpage.
Getting Started
This webpage represents a collection of solar information and resources for residents and businesses. For general information about the basics of solar energy, please refer to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power or the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.
The Benefits of Going Solar
Solar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. Solar energy reduces carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies, creates local jobs, improves electric grid resilience during peak demand, and can save money on electricity costs. More information about the solar industry in Georgia can be found on the Solar Energy Industries Association’s Georgia page.
Solar Maps and Potential
Google’s Project Sunroof tool uses Google Earth imagery to quickly provide solar savings estimates for homes and businesses. You can also estimate the electricity production of solar projects using the National Laboratory of the Rockies’ PVWatts Calculator.
Finding a Contractor
Certified solar contractors can be found through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Professional Directory. Most solar contractors provide free assessments for homes and businesses that are considering adding solar panels. In addition to looking at the estimated costs and savings, pay attention to warranties, maintenance plans, customer reviews, and any guarantees associated with the system. Obtaining multiple quotes will help ensure you get the option that works best for you.
Permitting and Inspection
Permitting and inspection for solar panels is almost entirely done by the cities in Fulton County. Fulton County still does permitting and inspection for approximately one square mile that is unincorporated, located along Fulton Industrial Boulevard. A map of Fulton County cities and unincorporated Fulton County can be found here.
Please refer to your city’s website to determine the permitting and inspection procedures there. For more information about permitting and inspection in unincorporated Fulton County, please visit the Fulton County Public Works Permits and Plan Review webpage.
Utility Interconnection and Net Metering
Interconnection is the process of connecting your solar energy system to your local utility’s electric grid. Each electric utility has their own interconnection process. More information about Georgia Power’s interconnection process can be found on their Ready to Install Residential Rooftop Solar webpage. For other electric utilities’ interconnection procedures, visit your utility’s website.
Solar power that you use right away automatically translates into less electricity that you need to use (and pay for) from your electric utility. Occasionally, solar systems produce more electricity than a building can use. In this situation, some states require electric utilities to pay customers for the electricity that is sent back to the grid, commonly referred to as net metering. In 2001 the Georgia General Assembly allowed net metering in Georgia but did not mandate it. This means that the decision to offer net metering or not is made by each electric utility. Georgia Power currently offers customers a credit per kWh, but it is less than the full retail price. Please reach out to your electric utility to determine the net metering rate, if any.
Financing and Tax Credits
Residential solar systems range in price from $15,000-$30,000, and commercial systems typically cost more. Solar installations can be paid for through upfront payments, loans, leases, or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Leases and PPAs, also called Solar Energy Procurement Agreements in Georgia, are a great option if you cannot pay the full cost upfront. With a lease you pay a monthly fee, and with a PPA you pay for the electricity produced each month. Fulton County financed the solar panels on county buildings with a 20-year PPA. For more information about solar financing options, refer to the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division webpage. Information about solar financing programs in Georgia can be found on the Georgia Solar Energy Association webpage.
The federal government offered a residential solar tax credit that expired on December 31, 2025. However, commercial systems that are installed by December 31, 2027, can still receive a 30% federal tax credit. This means that third-party owned systems like leases and PPAs still qualify, with the tax credit going to the system owner who may pass the savings on to the customer.
Consumer Protections and State Laws
General information about consumer protection is available on the Interstate Renewable Energy Council website. One of the primary roadblocks to solar for homeowners can be from Homeowners’ Associations, or HOAs. HOA, zoning, and other solar laws vary by city. There is no statewide law in Georgia that prevents HOAs from restricting solar panel installations. More information about Georgia state laws can be found on the Georgia Solar Guide website.
Job Training and Educational Opportunities
The following Georgia colleges offer North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners-approved training.
· Georgia Piedmont Technical College
· Georgia Tech
· Gwinnett Technical College
· West Georgia Technical College
Cherry Street, a local solar provider, also offers North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners-approved training through its Solar School. Cherry Street’s Solar School is often free for participants.
Solar Energy and Fulton County Government
More information about the solar panels on Fulton County government buildings can be found on our Solar Program webpage.