Solar power advocates in Georgia are renewing a push for legislation that would let Georgia Power customers buy electricity from third-party providers of solar energy. A bill that would open the door to so-called community solar projects in the Peach State failed to gain traction in the General Assembly during this years legislative session. However, the state House of Representatives created an ad hoc committee to consider the proposal this summer and fall.

Community solar projects are smaller than utility-scale solar projects but larger than rooftop solar panels installed by individual property owners. Community solar allows residential and business property owners who might not be able to afford rooftop solar to participate in solar energy development. We are confident a market-based community solar program under the regulation of the Georgia Public Service Commission PSC would be a benefit to Georgia, Bob Sherrier, a staff attorney with the Atlanta-based Southern Environmental Law Center, told members of the committee during a hearing Nov. 19. What I see here is an opportunity for free-market principles to operate, added state Rep. Brad Thomas, R-Holly Springs, a member of the committee.

Under this years House Bill 1152, customers could subscribe with community solar providers for projects producing no more than six megawatts of power and receive a credit in return. The fees subscribers pay would go toward building community solar projects. Sherrier cited a recent study conducted by the Coalition for Community Solar Access, a national solar power advocacy group, that found solar projects create 16 jobs and 2 million in economic impact for every solar megawatt produced.

But Georgia Power opposes third-party community solar projects for several reasons. Wilson Mallard, the Atlanta-based utilitys director of renewable development, said Georgia Power already offers a robust community solar program with about 2,000 customers.