On June 21, the Georgia Public Service Commission voted to expand solar arrays throughout Georgia, increase solar battery storage and establish a DG Working Group to streamline projects. The commission approved 200 megawatts of new DG solar projects to be competitively bid through Georgia Power. The commission also approved a Distributed Generation Working Group to help improve the process for project approval. Solar developers will get five seats on the 20-person working group.

The solar distributed generation program allows for solar array projects up to 6 MW in size throughout Georgia. Since first being implemented in 2013, distributed generation solar programs have been tremendously successful. Georgia Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) members and other solar developers have projects in over 70 counties. In some counties, solar arrays are the largest commercial taxpayer providing revenue for infrastructure needs such as roads and schools.

“Today’s vote by the Georgia Public Service Commission will significantly improve the process for working out the details on DG solar projects in Georgia. The DG Working Group will allow solar developers to work more effectively with staff and Georgia Power to approve and build projects in a more timely manner,” said Pete Corbett, president of Georgia SEIA. “The Commission also added significant megawatts to the DG program in addition to expanding storage. Ultimately, the big win is the DG Working Group that will save solar developers and ratepayers millions in additional costs.”

News item from Georgia SEIA