GA Solar Policy Update

James Reilly • May 12, 2025

GA Solar advocates for better solar policies in Georgia

Greetings GA Solar Members, Supporters, and Friends,


There is a lot happening in the distributed solar and storage industry in Georgia. Our team has been busy advocating for an innovative battery program in GA Power’s IRP, protecting tax credits at the federal level, supporting great energy programs like GA Bright and GEFA’s Home Energy Rebates, and hosting fun events to convene industry professionals.


Here's an update on our ongoing efforts to advocate for solar-friendly policies and programs in Georgia, along with ways you can get involved. Thank you for supporting GA Solar. 


Policy Update


State update: 

It’s a busy year at the Public Service Commission. Our focus at the moment is Georgia Power’s 2025 IRP, specifically the proposed 50MW Residential and Small Commercial Solar + Battery Pilot. This proposed program, modeled after similar “Virtual Power Plant” programs in other states, was informed in large part by our testimony in the 2023 IRP Update and subsequent stakeholder meetings at the Public Service Commission. We would like to thank PSC staff, Georgia Power staff, and many other industry experts for a robust stakeholder process during the past year. 


We are cautiously optimistic about this proposed 50 MW pilot and the opportunity for behind-the-meter solar and batteries to benefit the grid in a meaningful way. We intervened again this year to make sure this program is designed for maximum success for customers, installers, ratepayers, and the grid. Read our 2025 IRP expert testimony here. 


Ways to Support GA Solar and Clean Energy in Georgia

Donate to GA Solar

Become a Member

 

Federal update: 


On the federal level, things are tumultuous and uncertain. We are hearing that members of congress are considering cutting the 25D tax credit, which includes residential solar and batteries. Despite the fact that Georgia is seeing unprecedented load growth, and despite record demand for home batteries in the wake of hurricane Helene – the most destructive storm in Georgia Power’s 140 year history – Congress is considering cutting this important tax credit that helps homeowners invest in resilient, innovative, and cost-effective energy solutions. 


Also, in a letter dated May 1st, 38 members of congress are urging a full repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act’s energy tax credits, including the successful manufacturing tax credits that have brought billions in new investments and thousands of jobs to Georgia. 


Take Action Here

 

“The fact of the matter is these federal energy incentives have been an economic engine for the United States. And if these incentives are repealed, Americans’ utility bills will increase the very next day.” - Solar Energy Industries Association


Events


GA Solar hosted a Happy Hour at New Realm Brewing in April, and it was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came out. Special Thank You to Colite Technologies for sponsoring the event and buying everyone a drink! 


Exciting Energy Programs in Georgia 


Georgia Bright is wrapping up its pilot soon and will launch the Solar For All program later this year to bring solar to underserved communities. Check their website for more info on how to sign up or partner with this innovative program.


Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has launched its Home Energy Rebate program and has awarded its first rebates. General information can be found here, and information for contractors can be found here.


New Board Members


Welcome to our newest board members, Adam Hoyt with Alternative Energy Southeast and Olivia Amyette with Infinite Energy Advisors! 


GA Solar always welcomes new board members. If you are interested in joining our board, please reach out to admin@gasolar.org. 

 

Thank you as always,

GA Solar Team


RECENT ARTICLES

Take action to save solar tax credits

By James Reilly • May 15, 2025
"Congress should not turn their backs on Georgia families at this time. Protect the 25D tax credit and help homeowners invest in resilient, innovative, and cost-effective energy solutions."

Over 2,400 New Solar Jobs Can be Created by Expanding Program

By Mallory Agnew • December 7, 2023
For More Information: Don Moreland, Admin@GaSolar.org, c-703-475-3228 Atlanta, GA – New testimony filed by the Georgia Solar Energy Association shows that expanding a solar program managed by Georgia Power to just 3% of customers would create 2,422 new jobs and help customers reduce electricity bills by over $75 million per year through energy savings and grid-efficiency improvements. Georgia Power’s monthly-netting pilot program which provides credits to homes and businesses for the solar energy they push back onto the grid, was capped to just 5,000 customers by the Public Service Commission in 2019. The program became over-subscribed within two-years, and added more customer-owned solar energy in Georgia than the previous 20-years combined. The solar energy industry currently employs 5,341 Georgians. Georgia Solar Energy Association’s testimony, authored with support from Greenlink Analytics, indicates that an expansion of the pilot program to 80,000 customers will add another 1,477 jobs directly to the State’s solar industry and 945 indirect jobs. In polling released earlier this year , 80% of all Georgians supported the expansion of the monthly netting program. As a part of Georgia Power’s rate-case filing, the company seeks to prohibit the addition of new customers into the monthly-netting program, to charge customers a new $200 fee to add solar energy systems to their homes and businesses, and to increase utility rates by 12% over the next two years. “The evidence is clear that Georgians want more clean energy, and that clean energy is good for all Georgians,” said Don Moreland, Executive Director of the Georgia Solar Energy Association. “Georgia Solar is urging the commission to restore the monthly netting program without a cap for the next three years to allow Georgia customers to be fairly compensated for the benefit they provide to the grid” Monthly netting is a basic utility policy that has helped neighboring states like North and South Carolina allow more customer-owned solar energy systems. Public proceedings in the Rate Case continue on November 28th with a decision expected from the Commission on December 20th. Read Georgia Solar’s full testimony here

GA Solar Summit Thank You

By Mallory Agnew • October 18, 2023
Grateful, humble, and deeply appreciative are just a few words that come to mind when thinking about the 2023 Solar Summit this past Tuesday at the Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech. The speakers all brought their A-game to put on a fantastic and informative show before an amazing turnout of ~150 clean energy professionals, advocates, and enthusiasts. There are too many people that helped make this one of the best Solar Summits ever, but a very special thanks goes out to a few people who without their generous contributions, the event would not have been possible. It all starts with Dr. Marilyn Brown who not only sponsored this year's event but also put together an amazing panel of researchers that centered equity as being a fundamental cornerstone of a clean energy future. We would be remiss not to recognize our gratuitous hosts at the Kendeda Building, but more specifically, Shan Arora, whose name may be familiar to those that have been in the clean energy space for a while. Shan made the planning, logistics and catering for the event appear effortless but we know he worked hard to make this year's event special. A special thanks goes out to our keynote speakers, Bill Nussey and Charles Hua, who both brought critical information and insights that provided a clear vision of the future of solar and electrification. Finally, we want to thank the GA Solar board members that worked tirelessly behind the scenes these past few months to organize the event and bring it in for a soft landing. Without the support from Co-Chairs Christopher Matos-Rogers and James Reilly, Co-Vice Chair Gustavo Arce, and board members Michael MacMiller, Polly Sadler, and Charles Herrig, this event would not have been possible. From all of us at GA Solar to all of those that attended, sponsored, and participated in the 2023 Solar Summit, a heartfelt thank you goes out to all of you that made this event special and helped solidify GA Solar as the premier solar education and advocacy nonprofit organization in Georgia. We promise to continue our efforts to add value to your membership and make Georgia a great place to do business for solar energy. Don Moreland, Executive Director  Check out the photos below!