Centerville hosts Solarize Middle Georgia workshop

On Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., the Solarize Middle Georgia workshop and information session took place at Centerville City Hall. Members of the community, including residents, Mayor and Mrs. John Harley, and others gathered to participate in the “public awareness campaign to learn about solar opportunities that didn’t exist until recently,” according to one of the SMG press releases.

Harley welcomed everyone and introduced the event.

The campaign, that is partially geared towards saving money, specifically and significantly reducing monthly utility bills, includes a free solar assessment on homes and businesses with no financial obligations. Partnering with the MGCAC (Middle Georgia Clean Act Coalition), Environment Georgia, Middle Georgia Regional Commission, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, Solar Crowdsource, Creative Solar (the company that will provide materials and perform installations, etc.), the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), the city of Centerville, and others, Solarize Middle Georgia also aims to promote and offer opportunities for “healthy living, clean air, economic development, and less pollution.” They use materials with “no harmful emissions or pollutants” and give back to the community by using “a portion of campaign proceeds to donate a solar energy system to a deserving local nonprofit organization.”

Don Moreland, president and CEO of Solar Crowdsource, began the presentation by discussing solar farms, rooftop markets, explaining what Solarize Middle Georgia is, how solar power and panels work, their benefits, and many other details about the project. He shared, “There’s enough sunlight that hits the earth every hour that could power our entire world’s energy needs in one year.”

Moreland explained how the system costs decrease with the more participants, and shared the following little known statistic: “Georgia ranks 10th in the nation for installed solar capacity; however 96% of that is in the utility scale. Most of the energy we use in our homes still comes from coal, gas, and nuclear power plants.”

Other statistics found in the Solarize Middle Georgia paperwork include: “There are approximately 1,000 homes in Georgia with rooftop solar” and “Solarize campaigns typically average around 100 homes to go solar after all the assessments are completed.” Karen Stevenson, project manager of Solarize Middle Georgia and executive committee member of Georgia Solar Energy Association, was also present and assisted in organizing and facilitating the workshop. She discussed the “great turnout tonight” and the success they have had recently in the Atlanta area.

Jordan Clark, sales manager of Creative Solar, spoke next and went over the details of the solar panel materials, components (like inverters and optional batteries), dual purpose options, as mentioned earlier by Moreland, such as carport canopies and shade structures, installation, costs, and other factors. Greg Boike of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission was also in attendance and answered a few of the attendees’ questions as well.

In the Centerville press release, Ray Clark, senior advisor to the elected officials of the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition said, “Solarize Middle Georgia is an important partner to MGCAC. While counties and municipalities in the coalition make significant contributions to improving air quality in the region, Solarize Middle Georgia is unique in that it offers every single household in middle Georgia an opportunity to play a role in reducing air pollution.”

Harley said, “Solarize Middle Georgia is an excellent opportunity for both residential and commercial consumers to participate in solar power. I certainly plan on taking advantage of the free consultation/review.” He had discussed the workshop at the Council meeting earlier and mentioned that solar can reduce electricity bills by approximately a third each month.

Solarize Middle Georgia will be the first Solarize campaign in Georgia to outreach to an entire region. To schedule a free solar assessment or for more information, you can visit: SolarizeMidGA.com. They will be in the area until the end of the enrollment period, which is April 30th, 2019. Financing is available and substantial tax credits are also awarded for system purchases.