'We drove them here.' Fulton County partners with Georgia company on solar panel expansion project

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Solar panels are installed on top of the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex.

Credit: Fulton County

Fulton County is undergoing a countywide solar panel installation project. The goal is to use more sustainable energy sources so the county can save money and reduce emissions.

The Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex is among the first of 46 Fulton County facilities selected for the project. The goal is to use solar energy for 20% of the municipality’s energy by 2030.



Originally, Fulton County installed seven solar panels in 2021. Sustainability Manager Jessica Lavender said that decision saved the county $130,000 on electric bills.

“The additional 46 buildings will produce about 6.8 million kilowatt hours annually, which could power about 560 homes,” she said. “That is also equivalent to about 3.3 million pounds of avoided emissions.”

The county is partnering with Atlanta-based solar company Cherry Street Energy to install and maintain the panels. CEO Michael Chanin said investing in solar panels boosts the state’s economy.

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Dressed in a sun costume, Fulton County's Jim Gaines points at a solar panel as though he's powering it at the county's solar panel ribbon-cutting event.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

“The solar panels are a technology designed, assembled, and in many cases manufactured right here in Georgia,” he said. “These panels are from Dalton. Hanwha Qcells in Dalton, Ga., has the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western hemisphere, and we drove it here down [Interstate] 75.”

Cherry Street Energy signed a 20-year contract to provide energy for the county. Fulton estimates the solar panels will save nearly $2.4 million during that time.

Fulton will have a total of 53 solar panels covering one-quarter of its buildings once the expansion is complete.