Georgia Power's Advance Solar Initiative - GPASI

What is the GPASI?
In November of 2012 Georgia Power asked the Public Service Commission to authorize the development of 210 MW of solar energy generation. The utility needs the future capacity and has built this amount of solar development into its plan.

What makes this advance solar initiative so special is that Georgia Power is offering to pay a premium for the energy produced for the next 20 years. They are offering each solar array owner a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Within the new initiative is the fact that Georgia Power is allowing third party ownership of the arrays. For the 1st time, on a large scale, solar developers will be able to own the projects within this state.

GPASI is broken into three categories. These are:

1)Small Scale Solar

            Under 100KW DC

            Contract PPA payment of 13¢/KWH

            20 year PPA contract

            10MW of capacity will be awarded in 2013 & 2014

            PPA contract winners chosen by 3rd party lottery

            $25 application fee

            Must be built within 6 months after awarded PPA

            PPA or "Small Scale Agreement" can be found by clicking here

2)Medium Scale Solar

            100KW DC to 1,000KW DC

            Contract PPA payment of

                          13¢/KWH flat rate or

                          8.53¢/KWH yearly escalating rate

            20 year PPA contract

            35MW of capacity will be awarded in 2013 & 2014

            PPA contract winners chosen by 3rd party lottery

            $5/KW application fee (Ex: 1000KW DC = $5,000)

            Must be built within 6 months after awarded PPA

            PPA or "Medium Scale Agreement" can be found by clicking here

3)Large Scale Solar under 20MW DC

           Three 20MW projects to be awarded in 2013 and three in 2014

            Contracts awarded based on competitive PPA payment desired and location capacity needs

            RFP comments cutoff date April 5, 2013

            RFP issued May 10, 2013

            Bids due June 4, 2013

            Shortlist results Sept 26, 2013

            RFP awarded Nov 15, 2013

            Must be built and operational by Jan 1, 2015

 

The program for both the small scale solar and medium scale solar programs were opened up on March 1, 2013 and due to overwhelming support CLOSED on March 11, 2013. We understand that around 1,000 applications where submitted during those 11 working days!

The good news for Georgia Solar is that 45MW of energy will be developed, installed, and commissioned within 180 days.

The next hurdle for installers and solar developers will be getting the GPASI projects built. 45MW is a lot for this state. That's about 7 times what has already been installed. Engineering, Construction, and Procurement (EPC) companies are going to be busy.

 

Do you need an EPC to help you install your GPASI project?

Click Here to contact a solar installer