Making Solar Do More
Next time you drive along Interstate 75, you might be surprised to see a herd of sheep grazing in a field of solar panels. This combination is one of the most innovative and beneficial land-management practices shaping the future of Georgia's solar energy industry.
Tucker-based Green Power EMC, the renewable energy provider for 38 Georgia EMCs, including Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC), has partnered with solar developer Silicon Ranch to implement its Regenerative Energy® model at the Perry Solar Farm in Houston County, which is visible from I-75.
Regenerative agriculture involves land management of solar farms using holistic practices, such as planned sheep grazing. Land managers carefully control livestock density, and how long and frequently a pasture is grazed. With more land to graze, farmers can increase the size of their herds, which generates new long-term revenue opportunities.
Georgia's EMCs rank first in the nation among electric co-ops for installed solar capacity. Collectively, they have developed nearly 30 solar sites across Georgia and have eight additional large-scale solar farms under construction, most of which will feature Regenerative Energy. Once completed, the EMCs' solar portfolio will total about 1,315 megawatts (MW)—enough clean energy to help power more than 209,000 EMC households! Of this shared portfolio, CGEMC currently has 44.8 MW of solar capacity, an increase of 29.7 MW from the beginning of 2022.
If you are interested in becoming part of the Regenerative Energy solar movement, CGEMC offers our members the opportunity to purchase solar blocks to add to their energy mix. Visit www.cgemc.com/cooperative-solar to learn more.
A portion of an article Blair Romero wrote in September 2021 was included in this article. Blair Romero is the Corporate Communications Manager at Tucker-based Oglethorpe Power Corp.
Fiber-to-the-home update
connect to health in 2023
This year, prioritize your health with the help of high-speed internet! With fiber internet from Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, you can open a world of wellness opportunities.
Fiber internet can benefit you in more ways than you think. High-speed, reliable service will keep your virtual doctor appointments and online workouts clear and lag-free, so you can focus on your well-being and not a frozen screen. Enjoy fast, affordable internet anytime, anywhere.
Connect fiber internet will allow you to:
- Access teletherapy and telemedicine without interruption.
- Quickly surf the internet and social media for healthy recipes and lifestyle tips.
- Download health and wellness apps in no time.
- Stream virtual workouts with no lags or buffering.
- And more!
Connect like never before with fiber internet in partnership with your local, trusted electric cooperative. Check availability at www.ConexonConnect.com or call us at 1-844-542-6663.
2023 energy efficiency rebates
Is it time for an upgrade? Save energy and money with Central Georgia EMC's 2023 rebate programs!
Since nearly half of energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling, upgrading an outdated or aging system can save you money in the long run. If your unit is more than 10 years old and needs frequent repairs, it may be time to replace it.
Your home’s water heater uses more energy than your refrigerator, clothes washer, dishwasher, and dryer combined. Upgrading your water heater can save you hundreds of dollars yearly on energy costs. Learn more at www.cgemc.com.
Keep your account information safe
When you go online to pay your bills every month, you might use Google or another search tool to find each company's website. Rather than going directly to the company you are seeking, you may encounter several third-party bill pay websites, such as www.doxo.com. These sites may seem affiliated with your service companies, but they are not.
Doxo.com and other third-party companies are not authorized CGEMC agents. They often charge users a fee for the payment service, and there is no guarantee that they will pass through the payment before its due date. This could jeopardize your account status.
For your safety and account security, always confirm you are at www.cgemc.com before you log in to make a payment. We offer many convenient ways to pay, and all of them are free for our customer-owners. Payments made directly with CGEMC post to your account quickly and securely, ensuring your account remains in good status. And, again, we do not charge a fee for making a payment online.
If you have questions about your account or payment status, call 770-775-7857. We are glad to help!
Important Announcements
System Inspections
CGEMC has contracted with Cappstone Energy Group LLC to perform system inspections in Henry, Clayton, and Spalding counties. Cappstone Energy Group LLC technicians will have signs on their vehicles (pickup trucks and UTVs) identifying them as CGEMC contractors. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact CGEMC at 770-775-7857.
co-op connections
Improve Your Financial Health With Our Co-Op Connections Financial Experts!
Affordable Tax & Representation, Inc.: 10% off tax preparation. 335 Rover Zetella Road, Griffin, 404-227-6400.
Brittany L. Montrois, CPA: $25 off the first year and 10% off future year tax preparations; $25 off bookkeeping and payroll services for the first month; 5% discount thereafter. 2116 Jodeco Road W, McDonough, 770-474-6116.
Chapman Accounting & Tax Services, LLC: 10% off first-time tax preparation; 20% off bookkeeping services for the first year of service. www.chapmanaccountandtax.com, 678-485-9932.
F5 Financial: Complimentary consultation for wealth management. www.f5fp.com,678-929-8394.
It's a free benefit from Central Georgia EMC. If you would like more information, email us at marketing@cgemc.com. We are glad to help!
energy tip
Do you have a home office? Set equipment like printers and scanners to automatically switch to sleep or energy-saver mode when not in use. In addition to saving energy, the equipment will stay cooler, which will help extend its life.
Another way to save in the home office is to use energy-efficient lamps for task lighting. Small lamps use less energy than whole-room lighting.
Keep it cozy with fuel Georgia!
Our Fuel Georgia team would love to welcome you to the neighborhood! We are local and available to help you stay cozy this winter. Give us a call at 678-774-6010 or visit us at www.fuelgeorgia.com.
Recipe of the Month
Submit your original recipes to marketing@cgemc.com. Published recipes receive a $20 bill credit!
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Credits:
Created with images by digidreamgrafix - "york south carolina white rose city" • Urupong - "businesswoman working on his phone in the office, select the icon security on the virtual display.Business, technology, internet and networking concept. " • Drazen - "Happy senior financial adviser talks to couple during the meeting in office." • niekverlaan - "lamp idea pear" • goodluz - "Kids in cooking class workshop preparing apple pie"