Solar Resiliency Technical Assistance Program
The Solar Resiliency Technical Assistance Program provides technical assistance to local governments to realize their potential in creating solar + storage resilient critical facilities, and to understand the technical solutions available to help them achieve the highest and best use of their resources.
Critical facilities can vary from community to community, but often include public safety buildings, water and wastewater facilities, IT/data centers, healthcare/public health facilities, emergency management offices, government facilities, schools, transportation systems, shelters, and community hubs.
GEFA divided this project into three phases.
Phase 1: Solar Resiliency Online Workshop:
GEFA hosted an online workshop to educate local governments about solar + storage resiliency hubs for critical infrastructure.
The workshop provided attendees with information to increase knowledge and understanding of various solar/storage/backup generator techniques and products that can be implemented to increase resiliency. It also provided training on regulatory issues, electrical engineering requirements and limitations, critical load design, and accommodations necessary to create a resiliency hub.
Phase 2: Feasibility Studies:
GEFA provided grant funding for feasibility studies at local government critical facilities to include solar and storage.
Up to two feasibility studies were performed for each applicant selected. Each study included:
- Up to two proposed sites,
- List of critical loads,
- Discussion of any obvious impediments to solar plus battery storage solutions,
- Proposed solar resiliency solutions
- Suitable technology recommendations based on existing conditions, size of critical load etc.,
- Economic analysis,
- Descriptions of how the proposed system will work during a 36-hour grid outage, and
- Summary and recommendations.
Feasibility studies were funded in the following communities:
- Athens-Clarke County
- City of Decatur
- Dougherty County
- City of Forest Park
- Jones County
- Marion County
- City of Savannah
- City of South Fulton
- Town of Toomsboro
Phase 3: Funding for Solar Resiliency Installations:
GEFA offered government entities - cities, counties, K-12 schools, and state agencies - funding to incentivize the installation of solar PV and backup batteries at critical facilities.
Selected applicants were reimbursed up to 85 percent of the cost of backup battery and solar PV, up to a maximum of $200,000.
Resiliency funding was awarded to the following communities:
| Community | Solar kW |
|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County | 52 kW |
| Cobb County Board of Commissioners | 56.3 kW |
| City of College Park | 89.6 kW |
| City of Decatur | 100 kW |
| Habersham County | 83.2 kW |
| Liberty County Schools | 80 kW |
| Savannah-Chatham County Public School System | 60 kW |
| City of South Fulton | 30 kW |
| City of Winterville | 33 kW |
GEFA created a tool kit to assist Georgia communities interested in solar resiliency.
