Save on electricity costs every year with your own solar energy system!A PV home

And save now on the installation of a qualifying photovoltaic (PV) system. Receive a $450.00 rebate for each kilowatt of capacity installed.

Cobb EMC Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program

Cobb EMC has long encouraged and supported the wise and efficient use of electricity. Cobb EMC also supports the proper application and use of reliable renewable energy technologies. To help encourage the adoption of these proven resources, Cobb EMC is offering a rebate to help make installing and generating electricity from photovoltaic systems more affordable for you.

If a residential Cobb EMC member chooses to install a qualifying photovoltaic system on their home, the rebate is designed to help offset a portion of the initial installation cost of the system. Members who qualify for the program are eligible to receive a one-time rebate of $450.00 per kilowatt AC (kW) installed, up to 10 kW.

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About photovoltaics

Photovoltaic Cell Module Array Photovoltaic is a solar power technology that uses arrays of photovoltaic cells to convert light from the sun directly into electricity. Solar cells produce direct current (DC) electricity from light, which can be used to power DC equipment or to recharge a battery. Adding batteries to your photovoltaic system will also provide a secure back-up source of electricity for your home. An inverter is required to convert the DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity to power almost all uses of electricity in the home.

Satellite The first practical application of photovoltaics was to power orbiting satellites and other spacecraft and pocket calculators, but today the majority of photovoltaic modules are used for grid connected power generation.

Photovoltaic relationship chart The basic photovoltaic cell typically produces only a small amount of power. To produce more power, cells can be interconnected to form modules, which can in turn be connected into arrays to produce yet more power. Because of this modularity, photovoltaic systems can be designed to meet any electrical requirement, no matter how large or how small. A typical 3.15 kW photovoltaic system in Georgia can offset up to one-third of the member's average annual electricity usage.***

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Benefits of photovoltaics

Let's look at the many benefits of photovoltaics

  • It's highly reliable and needs little maintenance.
  • Photovoltaic solar cells are an environmentally safe technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity.
  • By using a renewable source of power, such as sunlight, you help ensure our energy future by tapping into an infinite power supply.
  • It's produced domestically, strengthening our economy.
  • It's modular and thus flexible in terms of size and applications.
  • It helps meet the demand and capacity challenges facing many energy service providers.
  • It serves both form and function in a building.
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Factors that affect the cost-effectiveness of a photovoltaic system

Depending on your specific need and location, there are a number of factors that affect cost effectiveness, including:

  • System Size - Because of economies of scale, large systems cost less per watt than small systems.
  • Installation Complexity - More complex installations, including mounting systems on racks, working around obstructions or on tile roofs can be more expensive.
  • System Production - Installing your system at the optimal orientation and tilt will maximize system production. The more energy your system produces overtime, the lower the cost per kilowatt hour.
  • Operation and Maintenance - Compared to other distributed energy technologies, operation and maintenance costs of photovoltaic systems are relatively low. Costs may include occasional cleaning of photovoltaic modules, regular visual inspections and possible repair or replacement of the inverter and/or components after a number of years.
  • Financial Incentives – Federal tax credits and other incentives may be available to help lower the effective costs of investments in photovoltaic systems.
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Does installing a photovoltaic system make sense for my home?


Estimated Project Generation

Based on the average output of a typical photovoltaic system located in Atlanta area, a 3.15 kW system will generate about 5,500 kWh of electricity each year. This represents about one-third of the electrical energy usage of a typical home in Georgia. **

Estimated Project Savings

In this example, the 3.15 kW photovoltaic system generating about 5,500 kWh annually will offset electricity costs of about $500 per year, based on today’s electricity rates. ***

Estimated Project Cost

A photovoltaic home To provide 3,150 watts (3.15 kW) of power to a home, the estimated costs associated with purchasing and installing the system is approximately $9.00 per watt or $28,350: *

Project Cost Summary

Photovoltaic system installed cost ($9.00/watt x 3,150 watts): $28,350.00
Less photovoltaic rebate ($450/kW x 3.15 kW): ( $1,417.50)
Less Federal Tax Credit (30% of installed cost capped at $2,000) +: ( $2,000.00)
Net Project Cost $24,932.50
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What photovoltaic systems qualify for a rebate?

  • The photovoltaic system must come with a minimum five-year warranty against breakdown or unusual degradation.
  • The photovoltaic system must be installed by a licensed contractor.
  • The photovoltaic system must be installed in accordance with all applicable building and national electric codes.
  • The photovoltaic system must be interconnected to the Cobb EMC power distribution system with approved interconnection equipment and devices.
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How to receive your rebate

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Installation and Service Professionals

This link will send you to Findsolar.com. Findsolar.com is a joint partnership between the American Solar Energy Society, Solar Electric Power Association, Energy Matters LLC, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The site serves as a convenient, user-friendly means for homeowners and businesses to learn about incentives and the economics of solar energy and to find qualified professionals who can install and service systems. For no charge, listed installers receive instant email notification of sales leads that are targeted to match their company's capabilities and geographic area.

http://findsolar.com/index.php?page=findacontractor

Cobb EMC provides this link as a public service to our members. The link is provided for informational purposes only. We do not endorse or promote or recommend any one manufacturer, vendor or installer over another. Cobb EMC assume no responsibility or liability for their use or the quality of the service or product provided.

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Contact information

To receive a Photovoltaic Rebate Application, please call:
678-355-3421

Or you can email us at:
PVRebates@CobbEnergy.com

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Downloadable documents

Cobb EMC Photovoltaic Rebate Bill Insert (pdf)
Cobb EMC Photovoltaic Rebate Brochure (pdf)
Cobb EMC Photovoltaic Rebate Process (pdf)
Cobb EMC Photovoltaic Rebate Application (pdf)
Cobb EMC Distributed Generation Facility Interconnection Application (pdf)
Cobb EMC Distributed Generation Facility Interconnection Agreement (pdf)
Cobb EMC Net Metering Rate Rider (NM-1) (pdf)
Cobb EMC Distributed Generation Policy (pdf)

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Related links

Wikipedia -
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics
Florida Solar Energy Center -
      http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/
NASA -
      http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/solarcells.htm
National Renewable Energy Laboratory -
      http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_photovoltaics.html
U. S. DOE, EERE -
      http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/photovoltaics.html
U. S. DOE, EIA -
      http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/solarphotv/solarpv.html
How Stuff Works -
      http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
American Solar Energy Society -
      http://www.ases.org/
Southface -
      http://www.southface.org/solar/index.htm
Solar Electric Power Association -
      http://www.solarelectricpower.org/
FindSolar - Finding Renewable Energy Professionals -
      http://www.southface.org/solar/index.htm

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Note: The photovoltaic rebate program begins April 1, 2008. Cobb EMC reserves the right to modify or cancel the program at any time without prior notification. Rebate is limited to 10 kW per household.

  • *     This is an estimated installed cost and is for illustrative purposes only. The actual installed cost of your photovoltaic system will vary and will depend on your specific structure, the angle, orientation and size of your system, the need for any additional supporting structures, the quality of your system components and the quality of the installation.
  • **   This is an estimated amount of photovoltaic produced electricity and is for illustrative purposes only. The actual amount of electricity your photovoltaic system produces will vary and will depend on your specific geographic location, the angle, orientation and size of your system, natural variations in the weather and climate, the quality of your system components and the quality of the installation.
  • ***  This is an estimate of savings and is for illustrative purposes only. Your actual savings will vary and will depend on the amount of electricity actually produced by your photovoltaic system and the average cost per kWH normally charged by your co-operative for this amount of photovoltaic-generated electricity had it been supplied by the cooperative.
  • **** Member who receives a rebate will also receive a 1099 statement for the rebate from Cobb EMC at the end of the year.
  • +    Consult with your tax advisor about the applicability of receiving a Federal Tax Credit.