Houston Solar Project

About Project

The 68-megawatt (MWac) Houston Solar Project is part of another significant expansion of the partnership between Silicon Ranch and Green Power EMC. More than 30 of GPEMC’s Member EMCs across the state share in the energy produced by the Houston Solar Project.

68 MWac

Project Size

224,706

Solar Modules

705 Acres

Site Footprint

In Partnership With

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SERVING COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA WITH LOW-COST, RENEWABLE POWER

The Houston Solar Project is part of a 194-MWac portfolio of projects announced in 2018 by Silicon Ranch and Green Power EMC.

Silicon Ranch will provide the renewable power it generates at cost-competitive rates to Green Power Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), the renewable power supplier for 38 Georgia EMCs throughout the state. The total 194-MWac capacity of the portfolio will be distributed across multiple locations in Georgia and will generate enough power to help serve approximately 35,000 EMC households annually.

Collectively, the Georgia EMCs lead the nation among electric cooperatives for solar deployment. Silicon Ranch pioneered utility-scale solar in Georgia and remains a leader in the market, serving Green Power EMC and its member cooperatives across the state.

Silicon Ranch commends the approximately 300 craft workers, many of whom were recruited from the local labor pool and the military veteran community, who constructed the solar project over 12 months.

The project will contribute significant tax revenues to the local tax base as well as benefit schools in Houston County.

PROMOTING THE WORK OF OUR PARTNERS

In addition, because the Houston Solar Project is situated next to the Interstate 75 (I-75) highway, Silicon Ranch pursued an exciting on-site project to fully capture the marketing potential of the location.

Silicon Ranch committed to investing significant capital with a local vendor to install a digital billboard at the Houston Solar Project site. The digital billboard leverages the high visibility of the site along I-75 to exclusively promote the benefits of the project, the leadership of the Georgia EMCs, and communicate important messages on behalf of the local community.

Quotes from Our Community

“My role serves to help Houston County grow and thrive, and through the collaboration and dedication of many integral local leaders, I am proud that this solar site will help our community do just that.This project was built by the hands of hundreds of residents from here in Houston County and the surrounding area, and thanks to the commitment of Georgia’s EMCs, this significant investment by Silicon Ranch will provide long-term economic benefits to our community for many years.”
Tommy Stalnaker,
Chairman, Houston County Board of Commissioners
“More than 30 EMCs will share in the energy produced by the Houston Solar Project, and we are grateful for the support from our members and for the partnership we have with Silicon Ranch. We’re proud that in addition to providing our members with reliable and affordable solar energy, our work can further support economic development in Houston County”
Jeff Pratt,
Green Power EMC President
“The model that Silicon Ranch has implemented here, where large flocks of sheep are managing the land and vegetation under the solar panels, is the future of responsible solar development in the US, and that future was started in Georgia. This innovative renewable energy project keeps land productive, creates new good-paying jobs for our rural workforce, and puts Georgia agriculture in the spotlight of innovation on the national stage.”
Gary Black,
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture
“I’m excited about Silicon Ranch Corporation’s sizeable investment in Houston County and appreciative of all the work by local leaders and our development partners to bring this project to fruition. As Houston County continues to grow, our need for low-cost, sustainable energy will increase, and this project will, no doubt, promote additional economic development in our community. I want to thank Silicon Ranch and Green Power EMC for their commitment to meeting our future energy needs.”
Larry Walker,
Senator, Senate District 20
"This site uses advanced technology to maximize its clean energy production, while at the same time delivering positive impacts to the environment, land and local community for decades to come. It is the result of a true partnership that includes not only Green Power EMC and Silicon Ranch, but also Houston County. Working together, they have helped create good jobs, drive meaningful economic development, and deliver significant tax revenue to support local government services and the Houston County school system."
Geoff Duncan,
Former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
"Georgia’s EMCs have helped Georgia remain the #1 state to do business through their significant investment in market-driven clean energy.These solar projects not only support economic development in the local community, but also provide a strategic competitive advantage that can help attract new industries to invest in Georgia.”
Tricia Pridemore,
Chairman, Georgia Public Service Commission