14 City Buildings in Georgia to Save $1.4 Million With Solar Energy

The city of Savannah is advancing its commitment to clean energy with a newly approved $5.75 million solar contract expansion. In a unanimous decision, the Savannah City Council authorized a deal with Atlanta-based Cherry Street Energy to install an additional 1.26 megawatts of solar energy capacity. The project will equip 14 city-owned buildings with solar arrays, a move projected to generate $1.4 million in energy savings for the city over the next 25 years.

This initiative significantly builds upon an original agreement signed in July 2022, which has already yielded over $45,000 in savings and provided workforce training for local residents. The new installations are designed to cover approximately 37% of each building’s electricity needs, marking a major step toward Savannah’s ambitious environmental targets.

Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo championed the expansion as a critical component of the city’s “100% Savannah” plan. This comprehensive strategy aims to power the entire city with renewable energy sources by 2035. While officials acknowledge challenges, such as reliance on the existing utility grid’s energy mix, the plan incorporates strategies like purchasing renewable energy credits to bridge the gap.

The city’s efforts mirror a broader statewide push to make solar power more accessible. Capital Good Fund, a community development financial institution, was recently awarded $156 million in federal Solar for All funding to bolster cost-saving solar programs across Georgia. This funding will support the expansion of the Georgia BRIGHT initiative, a program designed to help residents overcome the financial barriers—such as high upfront costs or poor credit—that often prevent them from adopting solar technology.

With support from a $1 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the new federal funds, Georgia BRIGHT aims to grow its reach from 200 to 8,000 households within five years. The program’s appeal in communities like Savannah is clear, offering no upfront installation costs, guaranteed savings on utility bills, and increased energy resilience, with many participants also opting for battery storage systems to guard against power outages from severe weather.

These statewide programs are fueled by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) distribution of $7 billion in Solar for All grants. The funding, awarded to states, tribal governments, and nonprofits, is intended to accelerate solar adoption in low-income communities and create clean energy jobs. For Georgia, these funds could nearly double the number of residential rooftop solar customers.

By integrating solar technology into its public infrastructure and supporting residential access, Savannah exemplifies how local and statewide initiatives can work in concert. This dual approach of achieving municipal cost savings while promoting environmental stewardship serves as a powerful model for a sustainable energy future.

Sources for 14 City Buildings in Georgia to Save $1.4 Million With Solar Energy

1. Get Ready For Georgia BRIGHT 2.0 – Capital Good Fund
2. [PDF] State Brief: Georgia – cnee
3. Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates
4. Georgia BRIGHT Launches its First Solar for All Program
5. Free Georgia Solar Incentives: Register for Solar Program (Open …
6. No-cost rooftop solar available for hundreds of Georgia families
7. 2024 was a record-breaking year for solar in the U.S. and Georgia
8. Georgia Solar Panels: Pricing & Incentives for 2024 – EnergyBot