News from Around the State: District 9
Chatham County Unveils Solar Installations on Four Key Facilities
Chatham County has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the activation of solar power systems on four facilities under the Chatham County Board of Commissioners’ purview. This initiative marks a pivotal move in the County’s efforts to incorporate sustainable and cost-saving practices throughout its building portfolio.
Following a competitive bidding process, the Board awarded a contract to Cherry Street Energy, an Atlanta-based renewable power company. Under a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA), the County will purchase electricity from Cherry Street at a favorable cents-per-kWh rate over a twenty-five-year term. Notably, Chatham County incurred no upfront costs for the installation of these four solar power systems and will not be responsible for any maintenance fees. This arrangement allows the County to benefit from clean energy while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Chatham’s Resilience Program Administrator, Jackie Jackson, spearheaded efforts to bring solar to these facilities. On the decision to incorporate solar power on county buildings, Jackson said, “This decision to incorporate solar power into our county buildings represents a key step toward a more resilient and sustainable future for Chatham County. By harnessing renewable energy, we’re reducing our carbon footprint, lowering operational costs, and setting a strong example of environmental stewardship for our community. The partnership with Cherry Street Energy allows us to achieve these goals without any upfront costs, ensuring that we remain fiscally responsible while making a lasting impact on our environment.”
Over the 25-year SEPA term, Cherry Street Energy will own, operate, and maintain solar power systems on the following four facilities, with more sites to come:
- Chatham County Citizens Service Center;
- Chatham County Aquatic Center;
- Chatham County Juvenile Court; and the
- Chatham County Denton Center / Sheriff’s Office.
Cherry Street’s power generation will provide clean energy meeting over 15% of the facilities’ power usage, helping the County reduce its carbon emissions while also generating cost savings. Additionally, the SEPA allows Chatham County to add more solar facilities at other County locations, along with electric vehicle charging stations and backup battery storage.
Citing an existing partnership with the City of Savannah, Cherry Street Energy CEO Michael Chanin welcomed the company’s expanding presence in Chatham County. “We’re excited to continue our work in the Hostess City. We’ve built a number of systems in and around Savannah, and we welcome the opportunity to support these two pioneering local governments as they make good on their clean energy commitments.”
The projects also leveraged Cherry Street’s workforce development program. Cherry Street’s program, known as Shine On®, provides free training in solar installation and maintenance to interested individuals, as part of a platform “to recruit and train skilled workers so that they can re-imagine their strengths and find new, rewarding careers in the burgeoning renewable energy field”.
Jackson also notes that “Workforce development is a cornerstone of Chatham County’s resilience strategy. By partnering with Cherry Street Energy, we are not only advancing our sustainability goals but also empowering our community with new opportunities in the renewable energy sector. The Shine On® program is a prime example of how we can create pathways for individuals to gain valuable skills and build rewarding careers, all while contributing to a greener future for our county.”
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After being granted what is known as Permission to Operate from Georgia Power, all four systems are now energized and providing electricity to their respective facilities with plans for more sites to come on board in the near future.
For more details on Chatham County’s Resilience Program, please visit the website.