For Immediate Release
Covington, GA– Less than a month after their official “Launch Party,” partners in Solarize Newton-Morgan are celebrating signings of the program’s first residential contracts. Launched in September, the program helps homeowners and businesses in Newton, Morgan, and surrounding counties install solar energy systems. Over 100 community members have signed up to participate in the program by requesting a free, no-risk solar assessment. And now, three of those participants have signed contracts to solarize their homes with systems installed by the program’s installation contractor, Alternative Energy Southeast (AES).
These first three installations total 15.2 kW of solar-generated electric capacity and will prevent almost 30,000 pounds in CO2 emissions that would have been created from an equal amount of power generation using fossil fuels.
Newton County resident Sara Vinson signed the program’s first contract. She explained that she and husband Randy are installing solar “because we want to do what’s right for the environment as well as offset rising energy costs.” Said Vinson, “Solarize Newton-Morgan’s bulk purchasing power along with the 30 percent federal tax credit has finally made going solar financially feasible for us. In addition, the detailed assessment from AES and their advice on selecting an appropriate Georgia Power rate plan have given us confidence that we're making a good investment.”
For Theodosia Wade of Social Circle, signing her Solarize Newton-Morgan contract realized a long-term goal: “I have always wanted to put solar panels on my roof but just never thought I could afford to do it. The bulk purchasing power of the Solarize Newton Morgan Campaign along with the 30% Federal Tax Credit have made it possible for me to add clean, emission free, perpetual energy from the sun to help power my home.”
As a retired biology professor from Oxford College, the environmental impact of a home solar system is particularly significant for Wade. “Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels means cleaner, clearer air for our lungs to breathe,” explained Wade. “It means less mountain top removal for mining coal, less production of coal ash, and less fracking for natural gas; processes that are affecting the land, water, and air of our neighboring states in the eastern U.S. as well as other areas of our country. Solar power is a win-win opportunity: it benefits our economics and health, and the health of the environment.”
Solarize Newton-Morgan is a community-based solar photovoltaic group purchasing program to help homeowners, businesses, and non-profits save money by leveraging the power of bulk purchasing. Pricing is tiered so that the more who participate, the greater the savings.
Coalition members include Sustainable Newton, Newton County Water & Sewerage Authority, Madison-Morgan Conservancy, Emory Oxford College Organic Farm, Smart Growth Newton County, Environment Georgia, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, Solar CrowdSource, and their competitively selected solar installer, Alternative Energy Southeast.
Public information sessions will be held on Oct 21 (2:30pm @ Porter Library), Oct 30 (7pm @ 138 E Hightower Trail, Social Circle, and Nov 15 (7pm @ Porterdale City Hall). Additional information is available at www.solarizenewton-morgan.com and on the Solarize Newton-Morgan Facebook page.
For more information fo to solarizenewton-morgan.com or contact Tina Wilkinson at tina@solarcrowdsource.com.
