Original article: Environment Georgia
Solarize Decatur-DeKalb Creates Georgia's Most Solar Street
(Decatur, GA– Friday, April 21, 2017) Today, Mayor Patti Garrett of Decatur, Georgia proclaimed that Third Avenue will be named Solar Avenue in honor of Earth Day. Third Avenue had ten neighbors purchase solar through the Solarize Decatur-DeKalb program. With one extra neighbor purchasing solar earlier, that means the highest concentration of homes with solar in Decatur is on Third Avenue.
Mayor Garrett was joined with members of the community, participants in the program, Decatur residents and members of the Solarize Decatur-DeKalb organizing board, as she read the proclamation from the City of Decatur making Third Avenue “Solar Avenue” for the Earth Day weekend.
“One day we hope every street in Georgia looks like Decatur’s 'Solar Avenue',” said Jennette Gayer, Director of Environment Georgia whose organization helped to launch Solarize Decatur DeKalb. “We’ll need more solar leadership from cities and counties like we’ve seen here in Decatur and DeKalb Co.”
Solarize Decatur-DeKalb has become the most successful solarize program in the state ofGeorgia. With over 600 kW of solar installed in on homes alone and another 23 kW installed on Turner Funeral Home, Solarize Decatur-DeKalb will offset over 1 million tons of carbon over a twenty five period.
Prior to the Solarize program only DeKalb County was home to 132kW of residential solar. With two weeks still left in the program DeKalb Co. has seen a 440 percent increase in installed residential solar with over 732 kW installed.
Two installers were selected for the program. Creative Solar USA of Kennesaw, Georgia was the residential installer and Hannah Solar of Atlanta, Georgia was the Commercial installer. Because commercial solar takes longer Solarize Decatur-DeKalb expects more installations to happen later in 2017. Solarize Decatur-DeKalb program for residential enrollment closed in January and the contract period will close on April 30.
The event was held at the newly renovated Picnic Pavilion at Oakhurst Park which is in the middle of Third Avenue. Neighbors celebrated with cupcakes and were able to tour the homes that had solar.
