Solarize Atlanta is Here!

Atlanta’s first community-based solarize program officially launches Thursday, April 12, on Atlanta's Westside at Monday Night Brewery’s Garage from 7 to 8:30pm. The launch follows months of work, and just in time for Earth Day, the Solarize Atlanta Coalition  chose Creative Solar as the installer for all residential roof projects and Hannah Solar as the installer for all commercial roof installations. GIPL’s Executive Director Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley shared her excitement for this campaign, “This community-led initiative is working hard to bring solar to a diverse array of neighborhoods across the city of Atlanta, and ensure that clean energy is accessible to a cross-section of Atlanta’s residents, places of worship, nonprofits and business.”After the launch event residential, non-profit and commercial roof owners can go to www.solarizeatl.com to sign-up. People who sign-up will get a free solar evaluation and, if they decide to buy solar, will have access to significantly discounted prices and materials vetted for quality.Solarize programs create savings for participants by negotiating a tiered pricing schedule that drops the price of solar as more people in the community participate. In this program participants can expect to save 20 to 30 percent off the average cost of solar in Georgia. This is the fifth Community Solarize program to launch in Georgia but a record number of pre-registrations mean organizers hope it will be the largest to date and result in 200 plus new solar roofs in Atlanta and a solar roof in every neighborhood.Along with GIPL, the Solarize Atlanta Coalition includes the non-profits Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, City of Refuge, Environment Georgia, Livable Buckhead, the Sierra Club, Southface, and the US Green Building Council (USBC).   Central Atlanta Progress, as well as Atlanta’s Office of Resiliency and the for-profit Solar Crowdsource, are also coalition members.Jennette Gayer, Director with Environment Georgia said, “Through this campaign, we are going to jump-start the rooftop solar market in our city all while helping Atlanta hit its 100% clean and renewable energy goals.”“The team at Creative Solar USA is honored by this opportunity to help Atlanta homeowners get non-polluting, cost-effective solar power at the best possible price,” Russell Seifert the CEO of residential installer Creative Solar USA said. “We are passionate about our work in clean solar energy and dedicated to giving Atlantans a great installation experience."Solarize Atlanta will include a concerted effort to involve commercial properties. Central Atlanta Progress, Livable Buckhead, and the USGBC bring expertise and see real opportunity in the city’s many commercial roofs.“Adding a commercial building component to Solarize Atlanta is a great way for the city’s property owners to continue improving the environmental performance of their buildings,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead. “Many of those rooftops hold tremendous potential for producing energy, and we’re looking forward to making that a reality.”“Hannah Solar is pleased to have won the opportunity for commercial installations with Solarize Atlanta. We are Atlanta based, with ten years of experience in the solar business making us well suited to bring high quality installations to our local business colleagues,” said Pete Marte Hannah Solar’s CEO. We look forward to working with the Solarize Atlanta steering committee and leveraging our lending partner, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, for this exciting opportunity.”City of Atlanta’s Office of Resiliency is a key partner in the effort and has already helped get things off on the right foot by streamlining the city’s solar permitting process. “Rooftop solar is going to be a key part of the City’s 100% clean and renewable energy plan,” said Stephanie Stuckey, Atlanta’s Chief Resilience Officer. “Solarize Atlanta makes solar straightforward and easy for our residents,” she adds. “What’s not to like?”###Solarize Atlanta partners include:Environment Georgia works statewide to promote clean air, clean water and greenspaces. www.EnvironmentGeorgia.orgGeorgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) engages faith communities across Georgia in practices of environmental stewardship and sustainability as a witness to faith. www.gipl.orgLivable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community. The organization achieves its mission by working cooperatively with individuals, public entities and private businesses to integrate sustainable strategies. Livable Buckhead implements programs related to greenspace, recycling, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, arts and culture, real estate development and land use. For more information about Livable Buckhead and its programs, visit livablebuckhead.org. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org. USGBC Georgia advances USGBC¹s mission through localized engagement and outreach throughout the Georgia. City of Refuge is a nonprofit organization that exists to bring light, hope, and transformation to Atlanta. With 20 years of experience and 20,000 lives transformed, City of Refuge is a leader in the business of social transformation. We are located in the middle of one of Atlanta’s most historic and struggling neighborhoods where nearly 40% of the residents live below the federal poverty level. We believe the people of 30314 desire and deserve to live abundantly with access to vital resources, networks, and opportunities. In light of this, City of Refuge seeks to partner with individuals and families in crisis to clear a pathway out of poverty and into a thriving community.  www.cityofrefugeatl.org Solar Crowdsource offers tools and services for Solarize and Crowdfunding campaigns that are easily accessible and help remove previous barriers to obtaining and investing in solar energy. www.solarcrowdsource.com The Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club is the largest grassroots environmentalorganization in the state of Georgia. Georgia Sierra Club members and supporters areapproximately 75,000 of your friends and neighbors strong.Central Atlanta Progress is committed to creating a thriving Downtown Atlanta community for all of its property owners, employees, residents, students and visitors. www.AtlantaDowntown.com