How to Start a Solar Farm in Georgia

Solar farms are great for the environment in many ways, being one of the solutions to climate change. Multiple solar farms are coming up in different regions across the globe to harness clean energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The same is the case with Georgia. This place is great for starting a solar farm because of many reasons. If you are also interested in solar farming here, this guide on how to start a solar farm in Georgia will be extremely helpful. Here, we’ll also learn about the biggest solar farm in Georgia.

Is Georgia a Solar-friendly State? Are There Solar Farms in Georgia?

Before learning how to start a solar farm in Georgia, it’s quite common for people to question if Georgia is a solar-friendly state and if there are solar farms in Georgia. Yes, Georgia is a solar-friendly state, it receives an average of 218 sunny days which is more than the national average of 205 days. The homes here are very well suited for solar conversion.

Additionally, there are solar farms in Georgia. These farms collectively cover about 35,000 acres of land. This is 0.9% of the total landmass of Georgia. The solar farms in Georgia have seen good growth which has helped in protecting the environment, bolstering the state’s economy, and generating new jobs for the residents. Solar farms are helping in pulling off sustainability and fighting against climate change.

How to Start a Solar Farm in Georgia

Here are the procedures that you need to follow to start a solar farm in Georgia.

Step 1: Select Correct Location

The first and foremost thing to do when starting a solar farm in Georgia is to select the correct location. It is important to consider things like the availability of electricity grids, land, and sunlight while looking for a location. It is equally important to consider the local ecology. Taking into consideration the local customers and solar energy demand will also help you boost your business.

Step 2: Take Permission From Local Authorities

After selecting the location, take permission from the local authorities in Georgia. It is important for the authorities to grant approval to businesses, contractors, and individuals. There are certain rules and regulations that need to be followed. Some firms even need licenses to operate.

Also Read: How to Start a Solar Farm in Florida?

Step 3: Go Over the Finances

Determine the financial feasibility of operating a solar farm in Georgia. Many things are required when you initiate a business. Equipment costs, financing options, tax incentives, and maintenance and operation costs should be taken into consideration.

Step 4: Get Necessary Infrastructure

The next step is to get the necessary infrastructure ready. Create a plan for the layout, size, and power output of the panels. Get them approved and acquire the necessary licenses and ensure that they match the required safety protocols.

Step 5: Install Required Equipment

After getting the approval and permits, install the required equipment. Your farm will need particular devices like inverters, batteries, wiring and electrical appliances, mounting methods, and photovoltaic models.

Step 6: Connect Solar Farm to Grid

After all the installations are done, connect the solar farm to the grid. Obtaining licenses and an interconnection agreement with the utility company is a must. When you connect, you are able to sell and generate power for the utility. After proper documentation and connecting, you can sell solar farm power.

Step 7: Keep Proper Maintenance

The last step is to keep up with the requirements and maintenance. It is important to ensure optimal performance by examining and maintaining solar panels regularly. This maximizes sun-harvested energy.

Also Read: What are the Health Risks Living Near Solar Farm?

What is the Biggest Solar Farm in Georgia?

As of 2021, there were no utility-scale solar farms in Georgia that were among the biggest in the country. However, there are several notable large farms in Georgia. The Twiggs Solar Farm is among the biggest solar farms in Georgia. It is located near Dry Branch, Georgia, and is the largest free-standing PV solar panel farm. The announcement for its construction was first made in November 2018 and was commissioned later in September 2020. This farm is designed and constructed by the Origis Energy company, which is centered in Miami, Florida. Almost 300,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels make up this farm, which spans almost 2000 acres. It generates around 450 gigawatts of energy every hour, which is able to power 43,000 homes and prevents about 209,844 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This farm has made clean energy cheaper and more accessible for many residents of Georgia.

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What are Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Farms?

Before actually starting a solar farm in Georgia, it’s really important to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of solar farms-

Advantages of Solar Farms

1. As you must have understood by now, solar farms are environmentally friendly. They do not emit harmful discharges and also reduce the consumption of fossil fuels by generating power safely. They also protect land and water.

2. Once they are set up, solar farms rarely need any maintenance, making them easier to operate as we discussed in the pointer how to start a solar farm in Georgia.

3. Besides the timely cleaning, these farms can work for many years without even any checkups.

4. Producing power from solar farms is sustainable. It is accessible not just today, but also in the long run. This source of energy is clean and renewable.

Also See: 3 Amorphous Solar Panels Advantages and Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Solar Farms

1. There is an irregular availability of sun because sometimes clouds disrupt the sunlight. At nighttime too, there is a lack of power generation. This affects the electricity output of solar farms.

2. Another problem with solar farms is that they require materials that are rare and are not readily available at retail stores. Solar cells are produced using cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). These materials are rare, with their use questionable.

3. The technology to obtain batteries to save the collected energy is expensive. Most energy consumption happens by balancing this cost when the sun is at its brightest.

Also Read: 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Green Building

Is it Worth Going Solar in Georgia?

Yes, it is worth going solar in Georgia. It is so because Georgia is one of the closest states to the equator, and it receives more sunlight than most of the states in the US. Here, compared to the national average, homeowners enjoy cheaper solar panels. Hence, homeowners in Georgia find solar panel installation a worthwhile investment in the long run.

So, now you know how to start a solar farm in Georgia, and clearly, it is not a very tedious job. Once you have all the equipment and approval from the authorities, you can get the work done. The geographical location of this place is the reason why are there solar farms in Georgia. Solar farms are making it easier for this region to enjoy clean energy.

How to Start a Solar Farm in Georgia