Constellation and United Renewable Energy Complete Georgia Utility Solar Project

Back in 2015, Owens Corning—a major manufacturer with facilities throughout the state of Georgia—put out a call for bids to build a 1 megawatt solar installation at its Fairburn location. This project was to be pivotal in helping the organization reach one of its biggest energy-related corporate goals to date—cutting emissions in half from 2010 to 2020.

This project was also brought to fruition as part of utility Georgia Power’s strategy for expanding the role of renewables in the region under a program developed by the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Just two years later, Owens Corning’s latest renewable project is now complete.

Late last month, Constellation and United Renewable Energy (URE) announced the completion of the 1-megawatt solar installation at the Owens Corning site. It is poised to supply 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to Georgia Power during its first year of operation.

Constellation financed, built, owns and maintains the solar power system. Under a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA), Georgia Power will purchase the power generated by the system. Owens Corning receives Green-e Certified renewable energy certificates (Green-e RECs) from Constellation for leasing space for the panels at Owens Corning’s Fairburn insulation manufacturing facility. URE developed and built the solar facility.

This project is the third solar installation at an Owens Corning facility. In total, the solar installations are contributing 6 megawatts of capacity to the grid. This particular system consists of roughly 3,000 photovoltaic panels. It is anticipated that during its first year of operation the solar facility will decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 1,054 metric tons—the equivalent of taking 223 cars off the road for one year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The solar installation at Owens Corning’s site is just one example of how Constellation is helping businesses to manage costs while fostering positive changes for both communities and businesses. Around the country, Constellation owns and operates more than 400 megawatts of distributed energy projects that are completed or under construction for commercial and government customers.

Learn more about how your business can benefit from a renewable project.