Green Power EMC, the renewable energy supplier for 38 Georgia Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), and Silicon Ranch, one of the nation’s largest independent solar power producers, were joined today by statewide elected officials and leaders from Houston County to dedicate the new 68-megawatt (MW_AC) Houston Solar project near Perry, Georgia. Located just off I-75, the Houston Solar site is one of the most visible solar energy projects in the state and showcases how Georgia’s electric cooperatives are working together to meet the renewable energy demands of Georgia’s residents and businesses.

The project marks clean energy generation from the seventh utility-scale solar facility brought online by partners Green Power EMC and Silicon Ranch. The energy generated by the Houston Solar project is shared by thirty EMCs from across the state and will provide enough low-cost, renewable energy to help power 11,000 EMC households annually. By working together, Georgia’s EMCs are taking advantage of economies of scale, resulting in lower-cost solar power—savings that are passed on to their member-consumers. Their collaboration through this unique model has enabled Georgia’s EMCs to cement their role as a national leader among all U.S. electric cooperatives in utility-scale solar energy development.

Public representatives attending the event included Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, Members of the Georgia General Assembly and the Georgia Public Service Commission, as well as locally elected officials and leaders from Houston County.

“The Houston Solar project further demonstrates the commitment of Georgia’s EMCs to providing their consumers with cost-effective renewable energy that strives to meet the needs of a cleaner energy future,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “This site uses advanced technology to maximize its clean energy production, and the benefits are multiplied by creating jobs, driving economic development and delivering significant tax revenue to the local government and school system for decades to come.”

“Over the past eight years, Silicon Ranch has partnered with Green Power EMC and its member EMCs to invest approximately $1.5 billion in communities across the state, employing more than 5,000 Georgians to install well over one gigawatt of solar capacity,” said Silicon Ranch co-founder and chairman Matt Kisber. “Silicon Ranch is proud to extend this legacy to Houston County, a wonderful place to do business, and we want to thank IEA, Georgia Transmission Corporation, and the more than 300 Georgians who helped us build the world-class solar facility we dedicate today.”