Tim Martin, CEO of Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative, announced plans to participate in a 194 megawatt (MWAC) solar portfolio. The total capacity from the utility scale solar arrays will be distributed across four locations in middle and south Georgia. Sites have been selected for each of the facilities pending successful negotiation of all agreements with the local government entities. Collectively, these new solar installations are projected to generate clean, low-cost, solar energy by the year 2021.

Carroll EMC is among 30 Georgia electric cooperatives that will purchase the output of the planned solar projects through Green Power EMC, the renewable energy supplier for 38 Georgia EMCs.

The solar panels will be ground mounted, single-axis tracking arrays. The facilities are being funded and built by owner-operator Silicon Ranch Corporation, based in Nashville, Tn. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year. According to Martin, the 194MWAC solar portfolio will produce enough low-cost electricity to serve approximately 35,000 EMC households.

Jerome Johnston, Carroll EMC Chief Operating Officer, said the 194MWAC solar build is the result of a request for proposals to add more solar energy to Green Power EMC’s growing portfolio. Green Power EMC already purchases power from several solar projects throughout Georgia. Johnston said the additional 194MWAC of solar energy will more than double the current renewable capacity received by Green Power EMC its Georgia based member cooperatives, from 283 megawatts in 2018 to approximately 676 megawatts in 2021.

“We are excited to be a part of this major expansion of solar energy in Georgia,” said Martin. “Our commitment to expanding the state’s renewable resources by adding more solar energy to our generation portfolio not only makes economic sense, it will help to ensure cost-effective, clean energy well into the future.”

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.