Georgia Solar Program helps cities, counties, and public schools with solar power installations

Through the Georgia Solar Program, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) awarded up to $130,000 in rebates to three organizations to increase awareness and education about renewable energy production.

The Georgia Solar Program provides rebates to cities, counties, and K-12 schools to reimburse the cost of materials, design, and installation of ground mount or rooftop solar. Each rebate provides up to 50 percent of the project cost for up to 60 kilowatt (kW) of solar power. The program also requires detailed energy savings tracking, educational components, and community support.

The following organizations will receive Georgia Solar Program rebates:

  • Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County: $50,000 for a 45 kW rooftop solar installation at Rocksprings Community Center; estimated savings of 62,902 kWh per year and $5,844 per year.
  • Fulton County: $50,000 for a 55 kW rooftop solar installation at Cleveland Avenue Branch Library; estimated savings of 79,925 kWh per year and $7,425 per year.
  • City of St. Marys: $30,000 for a 45 kW rooftop solar installation at St. Marys Police Department; estimated savings of 68,813 kWh per year and $8,211 per year.

In total, the three projects will install 145 kW of solar power. Total savings include more than 211,000 kWh of energy per year and more than $21,000 in cost savings per year. Savings were estimated using the U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s solar calculator—https://pvwatts.nrel.gov.