There are 89 solar companies at work in Georgia, investing $18 million to install solar on homes and businesses. Georgia has very strong solar potential--ranking 5th in the nation. State law has made it illegal for Georgia residents to participate in power purchase agreements, a financing mechanism that has been crucial to the growth of the solar industry in other states.
Facts on the Georgia Solar Industry
- There are currently more than 89 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Georgia, employing 800.
- Georgia ranked 19th nationally in Q4 installations. See more solar state rankings.
- In 2012, Georgia ranked 22nd nationally in solar capacity installed.
- Georgia ranks 21st nationally in cumulative installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 2,000 homes.
- In 2012, $18 million was invested in Georgia to install solar on homes and businesses.
View more solar industry data.
Notable Solar Installations in Georgia
- Social Circle Solar Farm is a 30 MW photovoltaic system that is currently under development. Initial plans call for 175 acres to be covered by solar panels, utilizing 150,000 solar modules and as many as 20 transformers.
- The Blairsville Solar Farm came online in 2011. This 1 MW photovoltaic project will generate approximately 1,303,000 kWh of energy annually and is the largest privately owned ground-mounted grid-connected system in Georgia.
- Two major retailers in Georgia have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at various locations throughout the state. IKEA has a 1 MW system installed in Atlanta, while REI has over 400 kW installed in Atlanta and Kennesaw.
See our solar installations maps.
Solar Companies in Georgia
There are currently more than 89 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Georgia. These companies provide a wide variety of solar products and services ranging from solar system installations to the manufacturing of components used in photovoltaic panels. These companies can be broken down across the following categories: 25 manufacturers, 11 manufacturing facilities, 30 contractor/installers, 4 project developers, 13 distributors and 17 engaged in other solar activities including financing, engineering and legal support.
Georgia State Solar Policy Resources
Georgia Public Service Commission - Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Florida public utilities
Georgia State Legislature - Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Georgia
Georgia Energy Policy - Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
Georgia Tech University - Read about the innovative solar technology research taking place at Gerogia Tech
DSIRE Incentives Database Georgia - Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Georgia and across the United States-
US Energy Information Administration- Georgia State Profile - Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government
