Urban Grid, a developer and financier of solar projects throughout the United States, recently announced its partnership with SolAmerica Energy of Atlanta in the Plains, Georgia solar field they co-financed on 10 acres leased by former President Jimmy Carter. That site, a 1.3-MW solar project, is projected to generate over 50% of the power needs of the City of Plains, Georgia, using renewable energy.
Urban Grid has plans to continue to invest in Georgia solar power and sees the Carter project as one that can be replicated in areas throughout Georgia and the United States. Currently, Urban Grid is preparing to bid multiple solar projects into the Georgia Power Utility Scale RFP in April 2017.
“Georgia’s move toward solar energy is especially progressive and sets the stage for other regions in the country to follow suit,” stated Frank Depew, president of Urban Grid. “We are committed to helping expand the renewable energy footprint in Georgia through our continuing efforts on the development of and investment in more high quality solar projects. Having a strong advocate of renewable energy like President Carter endorse our solar projects, helps pave the way for other communities to consider, plan for, and take advantage of the conservation and cost benefits of using solar energy.”
Carter, an early advocate and leader of the renewable energy movement during his tenure in the White House, created the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and signed the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURPA), all catalysts for the advancement of renewable energy in the U.S. Carter was also the first president to put solar panels on the White House.
Through a 25-year PPA with Georgia Power, the solar project on Carter’s leased site will help expand the growth of renewable energy assets in Georgia and contribute to the overall economy of Plains. Urban Grid co-financed the single-axis tracker solar array on Carter’s property. Over the next 25 years, the system is projected to generate over 55 million kWh of clean energy for Plains. “We want to bring these same great benefits to other communities throughout Georgia and the U.S.,” said Depew. “This is one tangible path toward sustainable energy now and for future generations.”
News item from Urban Grid