GA Solar mixer brings politicians, policymakers, advocates, and installers together

The Georgia Solar Energy Association held a Connections Networking Mixer last night at the Warren City Club in Virginia Highlands in Atlanta. The event was sponsored by Enercon.

Barber and Ginn attended the function.

Public Service Commission (PSC) Representative Jamie Barber, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Manager, said the state has deregulated many industries, but solar is not one of them. According to its website, the PSC's mission is "to exercise its authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies." One important question is, “Why hasn’t solar been deregulated?”

According to Solar Power Rocks (https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/georgia/), Georgia has an F policy grade in 2019 because of low tax credits. Solar installation tax incentives have soured since 2008 and have not rebounded, even with the passage of the solar Power-Free Market Financing Act of 2015.

When asked would he recommended putting solar panels on the State Capitol, Georgia State Senator Frank Ginn  (R) - 47th District, said he would not recommend putting them on the Gold Dome because it’s the wrong application for an historic, 1879 building, but he has solar on his own residence. 

"I've been in the solar industry since the '70's and actually live in a passive home," Ginn said in my interview. "Most all of the energy we have on the planet, accept for nuclear, came originally from solar.  Whether we're talking about coal, or natural gas, bio-mass, or active solar, it all came from the sun. "

"I do serve on the World Congress Center Oversight Committee, and we've done some things there on parking decks. It's a great application that can be done in urban areas because you're not only producing energy, but you're giving some protection to the automobiles against the heat of the sun," Ginn said.

Ginn also said people need to understand that solar applications are more than just panels on house rooftops but include industrial and major building uses. He said the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, famous for its retractable roof, utilizes solar technology. 

       Young said the sun's power can be harnessed and utilized wherever you are.                   
 (Photo credit: Don Tonic, President/GM and Certified PV Installation Professional)

Thatcher Young, VP of Business Development of VeloSolar, says there are a myriad of ways solar is integrated into customer applications, including solar lighting, portable solar electronic charging, and a whole host of off-grid applications, i.e. tiny homes, campers, etc. which harness electricity naturally available from an unlimited source - the sun.

“Solar energy can be used while you’re hiking, camping or lounging on your own private island,” Young said.

Kurk Johnson and George Lovelace, both IT professionals originally from Kentucky, shared a toast at mixer.

For more information on this organization, go to: https://www.gasolar.org/