The Butler solar facility will be built on approximately 1,000 acres in Taylor County. It is anticipated to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2016.
First Solar is developing and will operate maintain the facility, which will feature over 1 million of its thin-film photovoltaic solar modules.
The Butler plant was initially developed by Community Energy and was chosen by Georgia Power, another Southern Company subsidiary, via a competitive process through the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative.
Georgia Power will buy the entire power and related renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility under a 30-year power purchase agreement. The company will have the option to retain or sell on the RECs.
Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning said: "The Butler solar facility builds on Southern Company’s innovative approach to diversifying our nation’s energy mix.
"Our strategic development of solar in Georgia continues our company’s expansion of renewable energy generation in the Southeast."
Southern Power has purchased or is building over 1.1GW of renewable-energy capacity, including four solar facilities in Georgia.
Image: The Butler solar facility will be sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Taylor County. Photo: courtesy of Southern Company.
