By Eric Curl
In 2007, Chatham County adopted a resolution to become the “greenest county” in the state and subsequently developed a “roadmap” for achieving the goal. Jackie Jackson, who as the Resiliency Program administrator is charged with reducing the county’s vulnerability to climate change, has since looked at the document with a renewed focus following her arrival last year.
“This was something the county had done a lot of work on and put efforts into and committed to,” Jackson said. “We might as well start with what we already have on paper.”
Jackson is now working to get those objectives off paper and onto some of the county’s rooftops by initiating a solar power program using a model the city adopted for its own buildings last year.
“I felt like we could learn so much from the city of Savannah,” she said. “Why would we not make that one of the first really big endeavors to move us in the right direction?”
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As laid out in a request for proposals the county recently issued for the project, the initial plan includes the installation of solar power at four buildings – the Citizen’s Services Center, juvenile court, sheriff’s Office and jail, and aquatic center – prior to potentially expanding the program to other locations. As some of the biggest energy users, the buildings are ideal test sites that could make a ‘true difference’ in reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, with initial estimates showing the solar systems could provide 30-50 percent of the building’s energy needs. Jackson said.
“I think we’ll get a really good return on this,” she said.
As proposed, there will be no upfront costs for the installation and the county would lease the panels for a set rate over a 25-year period. The contractor is also supposed to include a workforce training component that will provide participants with the skills necessary for a career in the industry. With proposals due by the end of the month, a contract could be awarded as early as January, Jackson said.
The county’s plan is similar to a solar program the city launched in 2022 that has resulted in the city installing solar panels at 12 buildings and two water treatment facilities, with more underway. So far, the systems have been performing well and the city is already seeing savings, according to a city spokesperson. A full report on the program is expected to be presented to the city council next year ahead of approval for additional installations.
Meanwhile, the city is offering a new incentive through the end of the year for more homeowners and nonprofits to take part in a solar lease program introduced this year. The Georgia BRIGHT program is designed to help low to moderate income homeowners lower their energy bills by using solar power through a discount lease program. New participants in the Georgia BRIGHT program, who sign up for a lease by Dec. 31, will be eligible to receive a $200 gift card.
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