City of Athens and solar
City of Athens is a municipal utility serving about 52,200 homes in Alabama. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 11.8¢28% below Alabama average
- Typical bill
- $1551,312 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~25%No statewide net metering
- Typical payback
- 24.1 yrs5.6 kW, cash
Export rules for City of Athens customers
No statewide net metering (Alabama rule).
Alabama has no net metering law. Alabama Power buys any electricity you send to the grid at a low wholesale (avoided-cost) price. It also charges solar customers a monthly 'capacity reservation' fee of about $5.41 per kW of system size, which a federal judge let stand in March 2026.
Solar for a typical City of Athens home
| System | 5.6 kW (50% of 1,312 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $20,860 |
| First-year savings | $757 |
| Payback | 24.1 years |
| 25-year net | $1,089 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Questions about City of Athens and solar
Does City of Athens have net metering?
City of Athens follows Alabama's rules: Alabama has no net metering law. Alabama Power buys any electricity you send to the grid at a low wholesale (avoided-cost) price. It also charges solar customers a monthly 'capacity reservation' fee of about $5.41 per kW of system size, which a federal judge let stand in March 2026.
How much does electricity cost with City of Athens?
Residential customers paid an average of 11.6¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 11.8¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,312 kWh a month, a bill of about $155.
Is solar worth it with City of Athens?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 5.6 kW system costing about $20,860 pays back in about 24.1 years, with $1,089 net over 25 years.
How many City of Athens customers have solar?
City of Athens did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: City of Athens - (AL) (EIA ID 944). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.