4 megawatt solar farm completed in Laurens County

A farm that loves the sun was dedicated in Dublin on Wednesday.

The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority and Boulder, Colorado-based AES Distributed Energy announced the commissioning of a 4 megawatt solar photovoltaic (also known as PV) project -- the first of two solar PV projects being developed by AES Distributed and its partners, according to a news release.

Once a second 16 megawatt project -- which is under development and expected to be operational in the first half of 2016 -- is built, the entire solar farm is expected to supply 20 megawatts to the Georgia Power utility grid, according to a report by AES.

The solar farm sits on 40 acres of land on Parker Dairy Road, which adds to the already large acreage of solar energy in Dublin-Laurens County, the release stated.

“We like them because they are a big boost to our tax digest,” Bryan Rogers, county administrator for the Laurens County Board of Commissioners, said late Wednesday.

The solar farm will supply solar energy to thousands of homes as well as benefit taxpayers, the release stated.

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co., will purchase 100 percent of the energy production from both projects from AES Distributed based on 20-year power purchase agreements. These projects will be among the first utility-scale solar installations for Georgia Power.

“The Development Authority is proud to be part of one of the largest solar power projects in the Middle Georgia area,” Fred Williams, chairman of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority, said in the release. “The strategic placement of this project in Laurens County continues to prove the vibrant atmosphere for success and innovation in our community.”

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223.

This story was originally published June 10, 2015 at 6:08 PM with the headline "4 megawatt solar farm completed in Laurens County ."