Statement from Julia Hamm Regarding Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative

Washington, D.C.–Yesterday, Georgia Power filed a new solar initiative–the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative (“GPASI”)–with the Georgia Public Service Commission. Through GPASI, Georgia Power would acquire 210 megawatts (MW) of new solar capacity through long-term contracts over a three-year period. Julia Hamm, President and CEO of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), a non-profit focused on helping utilities make smart solar decisions, issued the following statement in response to the proposed initiative:

“Utilities across the country continue to recognize the important role solar energy should play in a cleaner and more diversified energy portfolio. Georgia Power’s proposal to acquire 210 MW of new solar capacity over the next three years is a testament to that fact. Further, SEPA applauds Georgia Power’s proposal to take this action without a mandate to do so, but rather because it recognizes the value additional solar energy will provide to the utility.

To meet the 210 megawatts, Georgia Power plans to acquire up to 70 MW per year over the life of the program. By comparison, in 2011, nationwide only 15 utilities reported integrating more than 20 MW each to their grid, and eight reported more than 50 MW each. This fact demonstrates the significance of the proposed Georgia Power program.”

About SEPA
SEPA is an educational non-profit organization based in Washington dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar power into their energy portfolios. The SEPA Top 10 Utility Solar Rankings report is one of many market intelligence, utility interaction and educational services SEPA provides to its utility and solar industry members. For more information about SEPA, visit our website at www.solarelectricpower.org