GA Solar 2019 IRP Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2019
Contact: Lauren Hart
Executive Director
[email protected] | 404-522-4775

Georgia Solar Energy Association Cheers Distributed Generation Solar in 2019 Georgia Power Integrated Resources Plan

Join GA Solar July 30th for an IRP Wrap Celebration!

 
Atlanta, GA - On a motion from Georgia PSC Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a dramatic increase in the state’s solar resources Tuesday, including capacity reserved for on-site solar customers. Chairman McDonald with the support of Commissioner Chuck Eaton further motioned for a formal review of Georgia Power’s avoided cost methodology.

   McDonald has been a staunch advocate of increasing solar investment in Georgia for the past decade and led the PSC in its successful vision to make Georgia a leading solar market. This plan will help ensure that Georgia remains a top solar market bringing jobs and investment to local communities throughout the state.

   The plan proposed by McDonald and approved by the PSC will create a range of solar investment options in the Georgia Power resources blueprint for the next 20 years. In the largest category, utility scale solar, the plan will add two gigawatts (2,000 megawatts) to the state’s growing portfolio of large solar farms. McDonald’s plan includes 1,000 megawatts of installations known as Customer Renewable Supply Procurement for GPC customers statewide, with an energy use of greater than 3MW.

   Finally, the plan reserves 210 megawatts for distributed generation, AKA “rooftop solar” including 50 megawatts for customer-sited solar arrays. In all, the clean, cost-effective solar energy provided by the new resources authorized in this plan would be enough to power over 200,000 homes for one year.

   The Georgia Solar Energy Association was among the stakeholders engaged with Georgia Power and the PSC in Georgia Power’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), seeking more stand-alone DG (Distributed Generation) and a strategic plan for the placement and deployment of DG resources.). GA Solar is grateful to Chairman McDonald for his vision and leadership in the PSC’s approval of this 2019 plan.

       The Georgia Solar Energy Association, the state’s leading voice for solar advocates and professionals, has been a leader in the gains that have allowed the Georgia solar industry flourish over the past 10 years. So far, GA Solar’s efforts have resulted in billions of dollars in local investment that provide ongoing tax benefits for community improvement statewide. This investment not only creates jobs and supports communities, it helps preserve Georgia’s environment for future generations.

   DG - also known as “Behind the Meter” or “Rooftop” - allows homeowners and business owners to put solar generating equipment on their homes or facilities and consume what they generate. Any excess generation flows back into the grid and provides a credit to the array owners for that electricity on their bill. This type of generation has been slow to catch on in Georgia.

   GA Solar members are encouraged by the outcome and believe that a healthy mix of both utility-scale and customer-sited distributed generation, along with a better value of solar to the grid, is key in reaching the full market potential of solar.

   Russell Seifert, President of Creative Solar USA and GA Solar chairman, said the level of participation in the Georgia Power IRP process shows that Georgians and the growing list of Fortune 500 companies who call Georgia home, support clean energy and want affordable, sustainable choices to meet their energy needs.

    “At GA Solar, we believe that everyone deserves access to the financial and environmental benefits that come with renewable energy,” Seifert said. “Embracing a full range of solar access statewide creates a new and attractive way of doing business, one that sparks a revival of the region, promotes investment, and positions the state as a trendsetter for the new economy.
With the continued support of our great leaders at the PSC and the on-going coordination with Georgia Power, we are optimistic that meeting this goal is within reach.”

   GA Solar will continue its engagement with the Georgia Public Service Commission and other stakeholders in the energy market as it seeks a review of Georgia Power’s avoided-cost filing in the upcoming GPC Rate Case and avoided-cost review.

About the Georgia Solar Energy Association: The Georgia Solar Energy Association, is leading the effort in Georgia to promote the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy through education, advocacy and industry support. Our members are working together to make Georgia a leader in innovation, creating jobs, and attracting investment. For more information, visit www.gasolar.org

 

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