Apr 3 2013
The Georgia Solar Energy Association, the state's leading voice for solar advocates and professionals, is celebrating the successful initiation of Georgia Power's Advanced Solar Initiative, which will vastly increase Georgia's beneficial solar investment over the next three years.
First proposed last fall, the Georgia Power ASI seeks to add 210 megawatts – enough energy to power 35,490 homes – to the state's solar infrastructure by the end of 2015. Through negotiations with Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission, GSEA successfully advocated for an increase in the portion of this program available to small and medium-scale projects.
After months of working cooperatively with Georgia Power and the PSC to structure a program that makes sense for all parties, GSEA members are pleased to see the overwhelming response. The small and medium-scale program drew more than 1,000 applications for the first 45 megawatts available in 2013. Another 45 megawatts will be available in 2014.
Mark Bell , President of Empower Energy Technology and GSEA chairman, said the level of participation in the ASI shows how mature Georgia has become as a solar market.
"Our state is finally beginning to rise to its rightful place among the top solar markets in the nation," Bell said. "Our solar industry is providing local jobs, investment and economic activity throughout the state. We are continuing to work toward Georgia's full solar market potential."
In its 2012 survey of solar development nationwide, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reported that the U.S. solar market accounted for more than 10 percent of the global solar market for the first time in recent history. The fourth quarter of 2012 was the most robust in the history of the U.S. market with 1.3 gigawatts beginning operation amid another record growth year, according to the SEIA survey.
"The Georgia Power ASI is helping Georgia begin to figure in those impressive economic figures," Bell said, "We see this as an indication of more growth ahead for Georgia's solar investment."