ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As Mercedes-Benz
Stadium opens for its inaugural season, more than 4,000 solar
panels installed by Georgia Power across the campus will harness
the power of the sun to produce renewable energy. As the official
energy partner of the Atlanta Falcons and a founding partner of
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia Power worked on the solar
installations as part of the stadium's larger sustainability
efforts. The solar installations are among the largest and most
advanced integrated solar facilities at any American sports
venue.
Georgia Power started work with Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2014 to
integrate efficiency and sustainability measures onto the campus.
The solar project includes three separate phases that, combined,
are expected to generate approximately 1.6 million kilowatt-hours
of electricity in the first year of operation. Solar panels are
installed atop the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) Silver
Deck, a GWCC surface parking lot at the corner of Gray Street and
Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., and atop
stadium entry gates and administrative/VIP parking.
"Georgia Power continues to be a leader in energy innovation,
including expanding cost-effective solar generation across our
portfolio, paired with forward-looking research and development
efforts," said Wilson Mallard,
Director of Renewable Development at Georgia Power. "As we build
the future of energy, our partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium
helps to educate and illustrate the growing role of solar as part
of a diverse energy mix for millions of stadium guests every
year."
Georgia Power worked with a variety of local companies and
installers to complete the three phases of the project, which were
developed over the course of three and a half years. Local solar
installers Hannah Solar and Radiance
Energy worked with Georgia Power and Mercedes-Benz Stadium on
incorporating innovative technologies and installation solutions to
maximize efficiency at each site. The solar installations feature a
variety of technologies, including bifacial panels that can capture
sunlight from above and reflected from below, clear-backed panels
that are translucent, as well as a modular racking system developed
through a partnership with Georgia
Tech.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium project and other Georgia Power solar
programs that are making the state a solar leader were developed in
coordination with and approved by the Georgia Public Service
Commission (PSC). The stadium will use the Renewable Energy Credits
(REC) produced by the solar installations in the project's pursuit
of LEED Platinum certification, however the actual energy from the
systems will flow back onto the grid and serve all Georgia Power
customers. This approach is designed to allow the stadium to
maintain superior levels of reliability, while also incorporating
renewable energy into the campus.
"The renewable energy and solar program at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
is a great example of our commitment to lead the sports industry in
terms of sustainability and environmental responsibility," said
Scott Jenkins, general manager of
Mercedes-Benz Stadium. "Our goal is to collect enough renewable
energy each year to power more than nine Atlanta Falcons home games
and 13 Atlanta United home matches and with the solar program we
have in place we feel confident we'll achieve this and more."
Georgia Power's robust renewable development strategy includes
innovative customer programs, as well as large-scale initiatives
such as the Advanced Solar Initiative and Renewable Energy
Development Initiative (REDI) to bring more renewable energy to
Georgia. The company continues to
have the largest voluntary renewable portfolio in the country and
now has approximately 900 megawatt (MW)* of solar capacity in
operation, with accelerating growth year over year since
2013. Through implementation of the new REDI, approved by the
Georgia PSC in 2016, as well as other solar projects and programs,
the company expects to add up to 1,600 MW of additional renewable
capacity by 2021.
To learn more about Georgia Power's solar programs, including
Simple Solar as well as other solar tools and resources for
customers, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.
* REC Disclaimer: Every MW hour of electricity produced by an
eligible solar generation resource creates a Renewable Energy
Credit (REC). Georgia Power purchases only the null energy output
from some renewable generating facilities that have contracted to
sell that energy to Georgia Power. Ownership of the associated RECs
is specified in each respective power purchase agreement. The party
that owns the RECs retains the right to use them.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's
premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and
Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural
gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.
Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its
customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by
J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer
satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and
Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
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SOURCE Georgia Power