What NEC edition does Georgia use for solar in 2026?

Georgia has adopted NEC 2020. All solar PV systems must comply with NEC 2020 Article 690 requirements including the residential 600V voltage limit (690.7), 125% conductor sizing with rooftop temperature derating (690.8), and rapid shutdown for rooftop systems (690.12).

How does Georgia Power interconnection work?

Georgia Power requires solar interconnection applications through their Schedule 62 Interconnection Process. Residential systems under 10 kW use a simplified application (approval typically within 30 days). Systems 10 kW–2 MW use Level 1 study. Systems over 2 MW require a Level 2 interconnection study. Georgia Power serves most of the state's population; some rural areas are served by EMC (Electric Membership Cooperatives) with separate interconnection processes.

Does Georgia have statewide net metering?

Yes. Georgia law mandates net metering for investor-owned utilities (Georgia Power). Residential systems up to 10 kW and commercial systems up to 100 kW are eligible under standard net metering. Larger systems may use Georgia Power's Large Generator Interconnection Agreement process. Excess credits are carried forward monthly; annual remaining credits are compensated at Georgia Power's avoided cost rate.

What solar permits are required in Atlanta?

Atlanta (City of Atlanta jurisdiction) requires a building permit and electrical permit for solar installations. The permit application includes structural drawings, electrical one-line diagram, and NEC 690 compliance documentation. Atlanta participates in SolarAPP+ for qualifying residential systems under 15 kW, which can reduce permit turnaround from weeks to days.

Are there Georgia state tax incentives for solar?

Georgia does not have a state income tax credit specifically for solar. However, commercial solar systems may benefit from the Georgia Jobs Tax Credit if they create jobs. The primary financial incentives are the federal ITC (30% residential, up to 50% commercial) and net metering credits. Georgia also has a property tax exemption for solar: solar energy equipment is 100% exempt from property tax assessment.

Georgia Solar Compliance Guide 2026: NEC 2020, Georgia Power Interconnection & Net Metering

Georgia has grown into a significant solar market, ranking in the top 10 states for installed solar capacity. Georgia Power’s Schedule 62 interconnection process is straightforward for residential systems, and the statewide net metering mandate provides predictable economics for both residential and commercial installations.

Georgia Solar Snapshot

NEC 2020 in Georgia

Georgia adopted NEC 2020 statewide. Solar PV installations must comply with all applicable Article 690 sections:

NEC Section	Requirement	Georgia Notes
690.7	Residential 600V / Commercial 1000V max	Standard
690.8	125% conductor sizing + Atlanta temp derating	Atlanta: effective 58°C (0.71 factor)
690.9	DC-rated OCPDs, 125% Isc	Standard
690.12	Rapid shutdown for rooftop	Required statewide
690.31	PV Wire/USE-2 for module wiring	Standard
690.41	System grounding	Standard

Atlanta Climate — Conductor Derating

Atlanta’s climate requires rooftop conductor derating:

Parameter	Value
ASHRAE max air temp	36°C
+ 22°C rooftop adder	+22°C
Effective conductor temp	58°C
THWN-2 (90°C) correction factor	0.71

A 10 AWG THWN-2 in Atlanta rooftop conduit: 40A × 0.71 = 28.4A available ampacity.

Georgia Power Interconnection — Schedule 62

Georgia Power’s Schedule 62 defines the interconnection process for distributed generation:

Residential Track (under 10 kW)

Step	Action	Timeline
1	Submit Schedule 62 application online	Day 1
2	Georgia Power reviews application	10–30 days
3	Execute interconnection agreement	After approval
4	Complete installation + inspections	Per local AHJ
5	Georgia Power installs net meter	5–10 business days after sign-off

Commercial Track (10 kW–2 MW)

Level 1 interconnection study required. Timeline: 45–90 days. Georgia Power evaluates feeder capacity and voltage impact.

Large System Track (over 2 MW)

Full Level 2 interconnection study. 6–18 month timeline. May require substation upgrades at project cost.

EMC Territory in Georgia

Approximately 42% of Georgia’s land area is served by Electric Membership Cooperatives (Georgia’s 42 EMCs). Each EMC has its own interconnection process and net metering policy. The Georgia EMC Association provides a member finder — identify the specific co-op before submitting any interconnection application, as timelines and requirements differ significantly from Georgia Power.

Net Metering in Georgia

Georgia’s net metering rules under O.C.G.A. § 46-3 mandate the following for Georgia Power customers:

Parameter	Residential	Commercial
Eligible size	Up to 10 kW	Up to 100 kW
Credit rate	Full retail rate	Full retail rate
Monthly carryover	Yes	Yes
Annual true-up	Unused credits at avoided cost	Unused credits at avoided cost
Eligibility	All Georgia Power residential	All GP commercial

For systems exceeding 100 kW: Georgia Power offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or the Large Generator Interconnection path, which typically results in below-retail export rates.

Georgia Property Tax Exemption

Georgia Code § 48-5-48.1 provides a 100% property tax exemption for solar energy equipment:

Applies to both residential and commercial solar
Solar equipment value is excluded entirely from property tax assessment
No application required — exemption applies by statute
This applies to the solar equipment itself, not to any increase in the property value from having solar

Atlanta AHJ Permit Process

City of Atlanta

Atlanta participates in SolarAPP+ for residential systems under 15 kW:

Submit design through SolarAPP+-compatible design software
SolarAPP+ automated plan review (typically same-day approval)
Obtain approved permit from Atlanta Permits and Inspections
Complete installation
Schedule inspection through Atlanta’s portal
Receive inspection sign-off

For non-SolarAPP+ projects and commercial systems:

Submit structural and electrical drawings
Plan review: 5–15 business days
Permit fee: ~$200–500 residential, varies for commercial

Fulton County (Unincorporated)

Separate from City of Atlanta Building Department
SolarAPP+ participation varies — confirm before submitting
Similar process but Fulton County Building and Inspection

Savannah / Chatham County

Chatham County Building Services
Separate permitting from City of Savannah
Coastal zone wind load requirements apply

Georgia Power vs. Municipal Utility Territory

The City of Dalton (northwest GA) operates its own municipal electric utility and has separate interconnection requirements from Georgia Power. Several other small municipalities also operate municipal utilities. If the project is not in Georgia Power or an EMC territory, identify the specific utility before submitting any interconnection application.

Commercial Solar in Georgia

Georgia’s commercial solar market has grown substantially with large utility-scale projects in the southeast part of the state. Key considerations for C&I:

Georgia Power offers a Commercial Solar program for business customers
C&I systems under 2 MW can participate in Level 1 interconnection
Property tax exemption applies to commercial solar equipment
IRA Section 48E: 30% base credit + up to 20% bonus credits
Energy community designation: Former Georgia coal plant areas (Plant Bowen, Plant Scherer vicinity) may qualify for +10% energy community bonus

Generate Georgia Power-Ready Permit Packages

SurgePV produces NEC 2020-compliant permit packages for Georgia — complete with Schedule 62 documentation requirements, one-line diagrams, and NEC 690 calculations formatted for Atlanta and other GA AHJs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What NEC edition does Georgia use for solar?

NEC 2020. Georgia adopted NEC 2020 statewide. Atlanta and other large cities follow the state adoption with potential local amendments — always confirm with the specific AHJ.

How does Georgia Power net metering work?

Georgia Power credits excess generation at the full retail rate for residential systems up to 10 kW and commercial systems up to 100 kW. Monthly credits carry forward; annual remaining credits are paid at the avoided cost rate. EMC customers should contact their specific cooperative.

Does Georgia have state solar tax credits?

Georgia has no state income tax credit for solar. The primary incentives are the federal ITC (30% residential, up to 50% commercial) and the property tax exemption for solar equipment (100% exemption from property assessment per state statute).