Solar energy is going to play an increasingly important role in the next 20 years, Georgia Public Service commissioners said Monday during a panel discussion of the state’s solar industry.
The commission is wrapping up hearings on Georgia Power Co.’s 2013 integrated resource plan, which is a long-range plan for the utility that forecasts electric power needs for the next three years.
The commission, a state agency that regulates utilities, is expected to issue a decision on the plan July 11.
Georgia Power’s plan doesn’t include any new capacity including solar, coal and nuclear. The utility company does plan to convert some coal plants to natural gas. The only additional solar comes from a 2012 initiative for Georgia Power to buy 210 megawatts of solar capacity for about 20,000 customers.
Many people emphasized the significant drop in the cost of solar technology, but criticized commissioners for not taking advantage of the alternative energy sooner. Eaton said the benefit of Georgia’s conservative energy strategy is it can take advantage of current lower capital costs and improved technology.
“Obviously, solar is getting a hard look at the commission these days,” Eaton said. “There’s some huge benefits to it that I see.”
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