Georgia Power testing solar energy

Georgia Power could be making a change that could affect your power bill.

The company is partnering with the Ray and the Georgia Department of Transportation to test the use of solar power energy.

Georgia Power said the solar project could not only lower power bills but also help the environment, potentially making Valdosta and the rest of South Georgia more sustainable for agriculture.

The pilot program would place a one-megawatt project near Exit 14 along the side of Interstate 85.

It will cover less than five acres of land on the GDOT right-of-way.

Georgia Power would be leasing the area from GDOT for 35 years, but the pilot testing must happen before March 2019.

If the project works out, Georgia will set the standard for the rest of the country.

“These big, large solar mills, these actually lower the price of energy for everyone. We’re going to try it because DOT has a lot of extra land. If there is value to doing this then it could be duplicated,” said Commissioner Tim Echols.

Georgia Power would like to remind everyone that this idea is still in the testing phase. They expect to share the benefits with their consumers once they figure out all of the implications.

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