News & Events
Solar panels up on downtown Albany building
February 16, 2012
By J.D. Sumner, The Albany Herald
ALBANY — Local economic development officials have mixed new, innovative and green technology with one of the city’s oldest and most recognizable downtown buildings to set an example of how businesses can not only be environmentally friendly, but use Georgia businesses in the process.
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, in conjunction with the Albany Water, Gas & Light Commission and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, have installed a 5kW solar panel system on the rooftop of the Chamber building.
The 22 solar modules will have an annual output nearly equal to offset an average-size home’s footprint.
Justin Strickland, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission’s vice president for business development, said that the panels will meet about 10-15 percent of the building’s electricity needs during the year.
“We hope it shows a great partnership between the EDC, the chamber and WG&L, and that we can do innovative things and hopefully set an example for other businesses in town,” Strickland said.
The systems were funded in part through a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Costs not covered by the grant were covered by WG&L.
EDC President Ted Clem said that with Albany’s weather, solar panels are a viable option for helping reduce energy cost and carbon footprints.
“Albany has 224 sunny days per year, compared to a national average of 205 days, making it an ideal location for solar energy production, said Ted Clem, president of the EDC.
Strickland said that the EDC used solar panels manufactured by a Georgia company and hired an Atlanta-based solar panel installer to put the panels on the building.
Historic downtown Albany building powered by new solar panels
- Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission Vice President Justin Strickland, left, and President Ted Clem inspect the new solar panels recently installed on the rooftop of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, where the EDC keeps its offices. The 22-panel, 5 kW system will produce enough energy to nearly offset an average-size home’s footprint.
For Immediate Release
February 15, 2012
Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission
Solar panels power historic downtown Albany building
Albany, Ga. – The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, in conjunction with the Albany Water, Gas & Light Commission and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, has installed a 5 kW solar panel system atop one of Albany’s most prominent historic downtown buildings.
The 22 235-watt Suniva modules will have an estimated total annual output of 6,755 kWh, which is enough to nearly offset an average-size home’s footprint.
The panels are on the flat rooftop of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce building, where the energy produced by the panels runs through an inverter box and is directly consumed, thereby reducing the amount of energy the building pulls from the local energy grid.
“Albany has 224 sunny days per year, compared to a national average of 205 days, making it an ideal location for solar energy production,” said Ted Clem, CEcD, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “Albany and Southwest Georgia are ripe with renewable energy sources, and these panels are a great way for our city to showcase its potential in an industry that continues to expand.”
The systems were funded in part through a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority applied for the grant on behalf of the Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) and the latter’s municipalities, which include the Albany Water, Gas & Light Commission. System costs not covered by the grant were supplied by WG&L.
“Albany Water, Gas & Light provides everything from water to electricity to fiber optics, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring this solar panel program to our community,” said Lee Hauesler, assistant general manager of the Albany Water, Gas & Light Commission, ECG’s largest municipal user.
Through the grant, about 15 of the Suniva systems, manufactured in Norcross, Ga., have been installed throughout the state by Radiance Solar of Atlanta.
The panels will be active indefinitely.
April 4: EDC Industry Awards Rise n Shine
The 2012 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week Awards Rise n Shine will be Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The awards, a program of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, recognize outstanding local industries.
What: 2012 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week Awards program
When: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: TBA
Registration: Click here
Click here for details about the 2012 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week Awards.
April 3: EDC’s Business After Hours
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission will host Business After Hours on April 3, 2012, as part of the 2012 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week. Business After Hours are a program of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.
What: EDC’s Business After Hours for 2012 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week
When: 5 p.m.-7 p.m., April 3, 2012
Where: TBA
Click here for more details regarding the 2012 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week.
EDC opens nominations for 2012 industry awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2012
Contact: Bárbara Rivera Holmes
(229) 434-0044
bholmes@choosealbany.com
Nominations open for EDC’s 2012 industry awards
Albany, Ga. – Nominations have opened for the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission’s Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week Awards. Industry week, now in its third year, is a weeklong celebration of the community’s existing industries.
The EDC recognizes industries in four categories: global commerce, economic impact, excellence in innovation and corporate community citizenship (Good Life City Award).
“Existing industries are critical to local economies, and in Albany-Dougherty County we’re fortunate to have an industrial diversity that represents health care, defense, logistics, manufacturing and professional services,” said Ted Clem, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “We’re proud of our industries, and our weeklong Industry Celebration Week is a great way to recognize and promote their successes.”
All industries in Albany-Dougherty County are eligible – and encouraged – to apply for the industry awards, which will be announced April 4 at the Rise N Shine breakfast.
Although Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week is in its third year, the EDC has organized an industry awards program for many more years. The awards were restructured in 2010 in an effort to better evaluate local industries.
Details of the week’s festivities will be released as the event nears. Please see the attached awards applications for details on each award category.
Click here to download the applications packet.
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