Top Takeaways
Georgia Power provides Export Credits for excess solar sent to the grid
The export credit value changes each every year in January
Solar Export Credits
The majority of utilities in Georgia offer solar export credits rather than 1-to-1 net metering found in some other states. Georgia Power's solar program is under the RNR Instantaneous Netting tariff.
Solar production will first power electrical loads in the home, and then unless the system includes battery storage, will export to the grid.
For all inflow electricity from the utility, Georgia Power customers will continue to be billed the retail rate per kWh. The retail rate is the same price per kilowatt-hour the utility charges today.
For all solar outflow exported to the grid, Georgia Power customers will be credited a total of 7.2 cents per kWh in 2026. This is a combination of a the current year's Solar Avoided Cost Rate plus a 4 cent Renewable Generation Adder.
RNR Instantaneous Netting
Georgia Power's total export credit changes annually. Small adjustments can occur up or down each January. Solar customers will always receive the current export rates approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission. There is no lock-in period.
Solar Avoided Cost Rate - This value adjusts each year in January and has historically ranged 2.7 to 4.5 cents per kWh. It is 3.22 in 2026, was 3.32 cents per kWh in 2025, 4.45 in 2024 and 2.89 in 2023.
Renewable Generation Adder - This is an additional credit of 4 cents per kWh approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission effective starting in January 2023. The Adder will continue until further notice by the Commission.
Georgia Power | Total RNR Instantaneous Netting Credit |
2026 | 7.22 cents per kWh |
2025 | 7.32 cents per kWh |
2024 | 8.45 cents per kWh |
2023 | 6.89 cents per kWh |
Sample Utility Bill
In this sample bill, 8 kWh of excess solar were sent to the grid receiving Renewables Generation Credits and Adders under the RNR tariff. All kilowatt hours consumed from the grid were charged at the retail rate displayed under the Current Service, Environmental, Nuclear, Franchise Fee, and Sales Tax. Solar production consumed immediately in the home is not shown on the utility bill as it reduces metered kWh consumption from the grid.
Remaining Utility Bill: Even if solar provides 100% of your electricity needs, you will still have a utility bill to recover fixed customer charges that all consumers contribute to operate the grid (~$14 per month plus taxes). In addition, you will have a separate Palmetto LightReach bill for the solar system production.
Time of Use Options
Most Georgia Power customers are on the default Residential Service rate. The default Residential rate is seasonal with higher charges in the summer than winter, and also the summer charges are tiered meaning the more you consume the higher per kWh cost you pay the utility. Solar works well with Georgia Power's default Residential rate as solar production can help large energy users stay out of the more expensive summer tiers, and peak solar production occurs in the summer when rates are highest.
Solar can also work well for some customers with Georgia Power's Time of Use rate options, Nights and Weekends or Overnight Advantage. Consider a TOU rate if you can shift some consumption away from on-peak hours, which are 2-7pm weekdays June through September. EV owners are encouraged to consider the Overnight Advantage TOU rate.
The following rate plans are generally not recommended with solar: Smart Usage with demand charges, Pay By Day, Prepay, and Flat Bill.
How much solar will export?
It depends on you! It depends on when you consume energy, how much your system produces compared to your usage, the season and weather, and if you have battery storage.
Under the RNR Instantaneous Netting policy, it's more advantageous to consume or store solar production rather than exporting it for a credit that is lower than the retail rate the utility charges. Try shifting some consumption to the daytime when the solar system is producing excess energy (except avoid 2-7 pm Peak hours if on Time-of-Use).
Consider adding battery storage to the solar system. Batteries have a Self-Consumption mode and Time of Use mode that can be set in the manufacturer's mobile app to store excess solar from the day, and use it to power your home later maximizing utility bill savings.
