Making Solar Work Smarter in Perry
For homeowners in Perry, rooftop solar is a powerful way to lower electricity bills, especially with the hot, humid summers driving up air conditioning usage. However, the rules for 2026 have changed. The electricity you send back to the grid is valued at a lower rate than the power you buy from the City of Perry's utility. This makes using your own solar power—a concept called self-consumption—the key to getting the most value from your system.
See payback and NEM impact with your inputs in the calculator.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar & Battery Pricing in Perry
With the federal tax credit for homeowners no longer available for systems installed in 2026, the upfront cost is the net cost. Here’s a typical breakdown for a home in the Perry area:
- Solar-Only System (10.9 kW): The estimated cost is around $26,705. This system is designed to significantly offset your daytime electricity usage.
- Solar + Battery System (10.9 kW panels with a 10 kWh battery): The estimated cost is $41,705. The battery stores excess solar power for you to use in the evening, rather than selling it to the grid for a low credit.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Financial Incentives Beyond Tax Credits
In 2026, the financial case for solar in Georgia is built on direct energy savings rather than tax incentives. While there is no state tax credit or major federal credit for residential solar, homeowners still benefit from:
- Reduced Monthly Bills: Your primary return on investment comes from generating your own power and buying less from the utility, especially at the retail rate of $0.13 per kWh.
- Protection from Rate Hikes: Owning your power source helps insulate your budget from future increases in utility electricity costs. If grid power becomes more expensive, your savings from solar grow.
- Potential Home Value: An owned solar system can be an attractive feature for potential buyers, possibly enhancing your home's resale appeal.
Net Metering: City of Perry - Electric Department (municipal)
Avoided-Cost Compensation
Recommended 🔋
Understanding Export Rates from the City of Perry
The key to solar economics in Georgia is understanding the difference between the retail rate and the export rate. You buy electricity from the City of Perry for about $0.13 per kWh. However, any surplus solar power you send to the grid is only credited at an 'avoided cost' rate of approximately $0.06 per kWh. Because you're paid less than half for the power you export, the smartest financial strategy is to use as much of your own solar generation as possible. This is why a battery is recommended—it stores your valuable solar energy so you can use it yourself instead of selling it for a low return.
Projected Savings
Comparing Annual Savings: With and Without a Battery
The financial return depends directly on how much of your own solar power you use. A battery gives you more control over that process.
- A solar-only system is projected to save a Perry homeowner around $1,446 annually, with a payback period of about 16.5 years. You save money by avoiding grid purchases during the day.
- Adding a 10 kWh battery increases the total annual savings to an estimated $1,674. While the payback period extends to 18.8 years due to the higher initial cost, the battery provides higher lifetime savings and the crucial benefit of backup power during outages.
By storing your excess solar energy, the battery helps you avoid buying expensive grid power at night, which more than makes up for the low credit you'd otherwise receive for exporting it.