ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today filed a new solar initiative – the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative ("GPASI") – with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). If approved, the initiative would create the largest voluntarily developed solar portfolio from an investor-owned utility. Through GPASI, Georgia Power would acquire 210 megawatts of additional solar capacity through long term contracts over a three-year period.

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"We believe the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative will encourage new opportunities for solar development in our state and catapult us to the forefront of this clean, safe energy technology," said Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers. "This initiative builds upon our record of maintaining not only one of the nation's safest and most reliable electric systems at rates below the national average, but one of the most innovative as well. We will continue to build a diverse generation portfolio that utilizes the most cost effective and advanced technologies to benefit our customers."

To meet the target of 210 megawatts, Georgia Power's Utility Scale program would purchase 60 megawatts annually for three years through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) program with projects ranging in size from 1-20 megawatts. By as early as 2013, a Distributed Scale program would provide opportunities for up to 10 megawatts per year of smaller solar projects with specific reservations for Small Scale (less than 100 kW) and Medium Scale (100-1,000 kW) projects. 

RFPs for the Utility Scale program will be conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and require commercial operation dates in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Georgia Power could begin signing solar contracts under the Distributed Scale program as early as first quarter of 2013.

Developed in cooperation with the PSC, the GPASI will complement the company's existing solar resources, which include leading-edge research and demonstration projects and a 50-megawatt Large Scale Solar program already in place.

Since the creation of the company's Green Energy Program in 2003, which enables customers to support and foster the growth of renewable energy resources, Georgia Power has consistently pursued opportunities to grow solar in the state. Through various initiatives, including the Large Scale Solar Program approved in 2011, Georgia Power has worked closely with the PSC to add solar economically to its portfolio. There are currently 61.5 megawatts under contract – enough green energy to power approximately 7,600 homes.

Additionally, Georgia Power recently launched a new "solar energy expert" initiative and website that provides comprehensive information and personalized assistance for customers interested in learning more about solar energy.  For more information, please visit: http://www.georgiapower.com/solar.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

SOURCE Georgia Power