Campaign
Go Solar Georgia
The Georgia Solar Energy Association ("Georgia Solar") is launching the Go SOLAR Georgia Campaign to highlight the economic development and job creation benefits Georgia could realize by investing in solar energy. Many Georgia businesses are providing the global marketplace with solar energy system components, bringing investment dollars and permanent, high-paying jobs into the State.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (“NREL”) sun index level ranks Georgia 10th among states with the greatest energy potential from solar power but 38th in the number of solar energy systems connected to the utility grid. In fact, Georgia could generate more than 3,000 megawatts (MWs) of electricity from solar photovoltaic roof top systems alone – that is enough electricity to power close to 400,000 homes annually.
Go SOLAR Georgia will work to educate the public and policymakers about the important public policy changes that are needed to help Georgians put solar panels on their homes and buildings, expand existing businesses and to build large-scale solar farms. As a first step towards reaching the 3,000 MW goal, Go SOLAR Georgia is calling for 100 MWs to be installed by 2013. In addition, the Campaign will focus on:
- creating a state clean energy fund to facilitate job training and the installation of solar power systems in Georgia,
- removing artificial regulatory barriers that limit the size of commercial solar energy systems,
- enabling third-party ownership of solar energy systems benefiting rental facilities, school systems and churches, and
- ensuring all retail electric providers offer a fair buyback rate for electricity generated by solar energy.
John Baumstark
Suniva, Inc., Chair/CEO
Co-Chair
Walter Brown
Georgia Solar Energy Association, Chair
Co-Chair
