For homeowners in Stonecrest, seeing those high summer A/C bills from Georgia Power is a familiar feeling. Rooftop solar offers a powerful way to reduce or even eliminate that monthly expense by generating your own clean electricity. But is it a good financial decision for your home in DeKalb County in 2026? Let's break down the real numbers.
From rates to ROI—continue in the savings calculator.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar Installation Costs in Stonecrest
The total cost depends on your choice to add a battery for backup power and energy storage. After the 30% federal tax credit, the investment looks like this:
- Solar-Only System (4 kW): Expect a net cost of approximately $8,050. This is the fastest way to get a return on your investment, with a payback period of about 11 years.
- Solar + Battery System: Combining panels with a battery brings the net cost to around $16,450. While the financial payback is longer (over 22 years), you get the priceless benefit of keeping your lights on during power outages—a common concern during storm season.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Available Tax Credits and Exemptions
Stonecrest homeowners can take advantage of several key incentives to lower the cost of going solar.
- 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit: This is the most significant incentive, allowing you to deduct 30% of the total system cost from your federal income taxes.
- Georgia Property Tax Exemption: Your home value will increase with solar, but thanks to this state-level exemption, your property tax bill won't. This saves you money every year.
Net Metering: Georgia Power / EMC
Net Metering Available
Optional
How Stonecrest Connects to the Georgia Power Grid
Georgia Power's solar program is not traditional net metering. They credit you for surplus energy sent to the grid at their 'avoided cost' rate, which is about 10¢ per kWh. Because you pay about 13¢ per kWh to buy power, it's financially better to use the solar energy you produce yourself. This is why many homeowners consider a battery—it stores your extra solar power from the afternoon so you can use it at night instead of selling it back cheap and buying it back expensive.
Projected Savings
Projected Annual Savings with Solar in Stonecrest
A professionally installed 4 kW solar system in the Stonecrest area will generate an average of 5,684 kWh per year. With current Georgia Power rates at $0.129/kWh, that translates to a first-year savings of about $733. This saving compounds over the 25+ year lifespan of the panels. As electricity rates inevitably rise, your savings will grow larger each year, protecting you from energy price inflation.