A plan by Georgia Power Co. to purchase 210 additional megawatts of solar generating capacity was approved this week by the Georgia Public Service Commission. The move will triple Georgia Power`s investment in solar energy.

The PSC also gave a potential competitor to Georgia Power the ability to appeal and amend a law that is prevent other utilities from entering solar energy production in the state.

Georgia Power currently has 61.5 megawatts of solar energy under contract, enough to power about 7,600 hours.