Solar Industry Applauds Passage of Historic Legislation in Georgia

WASHINGTON, DC – In what’s considered an important victory for property rights supporters, the Georgia Senate has given final legislative approval to legislation which will make it easier and more affordable for homeowners, businesses, churches, schools, non-profits, military facilities, and police and fire departments to install rooftop solar systems.  Previously approved by Georgia’s House of Representatives, the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act, House Bill 57, now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

This important legislation will help to expand the use of clean, reliable and affordable solar energy across Georgia, and we applaud state legislators – especially the bill’s author, Rep. Mike Dudgeon – Georgia’s electric utilities, the Georgia Property Rights Council and many other groups for working together to benefit all Georgians,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).  “This landmark legislation will help to create new jobs across the state and stimulate economic activity, while helping to lower costs for consumers. It will also help to ensure that Georgia continues to be one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the United States. This is an important moment in the history of our industry.”

Today, there are 161 megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity in Georgia – enough to power nearly 20,000 homes.  But Resch said new solar installations are expected to quadruple next year in Georgia, according to the U.S. Solar Market Insight^® Year in Review Report, which was recently released by SEIA and GTM Research. The U.S. solar industry currently employs 174,000 Americans nationwide – more than tech giants Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter combined – and pumps nearly $18 billion a year into the U.S. economy. 

###

About SEIA^®:

Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2015, the Solar Energy Industries Association^® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA^® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, kjohnson@seia.org (202) 556-2885
Alex Hobson, SEIA Press Officer & Communications Manager, ahobson@seia.org (202) 556-2886