Georgia Magazine - February 2011 - (Page 16)

Georgia’s energy outlook BY HEATHER TEILHET, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, GEMC Reality check: Solar power in Georgia Many assume that Georgia’s warm and sunny climate makes our state ideal for harnessing the power of sunlight to make electricity. In fact, Georgia’s Green Power EMC, the largest supplier of renewable energy in the state, uses solar power from a plant in North Georgia and has installed solar panels at 30 middle and high schools in our Sun Power for Schools program. So why don’t we see more use of solar power in our sunny state? Can installing solar panels bring down your electricity bill? Can Georgia use solar energy on a large scale to increase the percentage of “clean” or “renewable” energy we consume? Georgia holds promise in the area of renewable energy development. And while many Georgians have found efﬁcient uses for solar energy, solar power is not likely to become a large-scale power source for our state. According to Michael Whiteside, president of Green Power EMC, there are two primary reasons solar power can’t be used as a large-scale source of electricity. Whiteside, an energy expert for 35 years, says the high upfront costs and lengthy payoff of solar panels are cost-prohibitive for consumers. Second, solar power is unpredictable, as the ability to convert sunshine to energy is entirely dependent on the laws of nature. “Solar power is expensive when compared to traditional sources,” says Whiteside. “Traditional power sources cost 6-7 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while solar is usually double that, and sometimes as high as 17 or 18 cents per kWh.” According to Whiteside, a homeowner may spend $50,000 or more installing solar panels on the roof of his or her home. Even with rebates and tax credits, the payback for a 16 Clean Energy Reality Check Series, Article No. 2 homeowner’s investment will likely climate and are relatively inexpensive take more than 10 years to recoup. to install and operate. Furthermore, Whiteside says David Dunagan, renewable enthere is a common misconception ergy program manager for Georgia’s that solar power can allow consum- Center of Innovation for Energy, is ers to entirely replace their traditional optimistic about the use of solar enelectricity source. ergy in Georgia, even if on a small “A solar cell peaks its production scale, and says solar will become less of energy from noon to 2 p.m. when expensive over time. the sun is hottest and directly over“Companies are coming out with head,” he says. “But a typical family low-cost, high-efﬁciency solar cells,” peaks its usage from 4 to 8 p.m. So says Dunagan. “Georgia companies families with solar must still buy off are manufacturing these new prodthe grid from a local utility for the re- ucts and shipping them all over the maining power supply they need.” world. In the meantime, niche appliWhiteside says the key to under- cations of solar are doing really well.” standing the cost of solar power is Dunagan cites examples of use the daily production cycle of a solar of solar power in Georgia that might cell. Solar cells produce energy for include a farmer who places a solar approximately 20 percent of a 24- panel in his ﬁeld to power his irrigahour day, or less than ﬁve hours. A tion pump, or a car wash business traditional power plant produces en- that gets half of its hot water from ergy for 75 to 80 percent of a day, or a solar water heater, saving thouapproximately 19 hours. Solar power sands of dollars in reduced energy customers pay a premium price for use each year. the same amount of energy that is A reality check on solar power produced more efﬁciently from a tra- reveals its high cost and low output ditional power plant. limit it to being a small contributor Despite these challenges, White- to Georgia’s energy needs. As the inside says there is good news for solar dustry innovates, prices should come power in Georgia. Solar-powered wa- down, offering more opportunities to ter heaters are very efﬁcient and can harness the sun’s energy. Georgia’s save homeowners real money. electric cooperatives remain commit“Solar may have promise in the ted to the full economic utilization of future as costs continue to decline,” all energy sources—including solar— he says. “Right now, if people are in- to power our future. terested in solar energy, I recommend ﬁrst installing solar water Reality check: Solar power heaters. This could save 50 percent of your water heating bill,” Pros: Sunshine is abundant, non-polluting and he says. purely renewable. Solar water heaters, while Cons: High upfront costs, low capacity (output) they still require a backup sysfactor. tem for cloudy days or periods of Outlook: Solar may never be a large-scale increased demand, have proven renewable energy option in Georgia, but offers to be reliable and inexpensive niche applications to home and business ways to provide hot water and owners. As the industry innovates, prices reduce energy consumption. Unshould reduce and efﬁciency will increase, like photovoltaic solar cells, solar making solar more of an option in the future. water heaters can be used in any More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - February 2011

Georgia Magazine - February 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Georgia's Engergy Outlook
Tree Army's Legacy
Bringing the Future into Focus
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - February 2011