Tackling Climate Change in Georgia

Expanding Solar Power in Georgia

Shifting from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy is vital to achieving the low-carbon future we need to combat climate change. Fortunately, Georgia’s land characteristics and plentiful sunshine make the state perfect for home-grown renewable energy. Combined with technology advances that have vastly improved the cost effectiveness of solar energy, the state’s solar industry is growing quickly. Between 2019 and 2021, Georgia’s solar energy generation nearly doubled, and the state is among the top 10 in the U.S. for installed solar capacity.

We support the expansion of solar development, including rooftop and community solar deployment. To reach the scale of energy generation required, however, the state is expected to rely on large-scale (utility-scale) solar facilities, which typically generate between 1 and 4 megawatts of power. 

Unlike power facilities that run on coal or gas, solar facilities require no fuel source beyond the power of the sun, and solar energy is free of the carbon pollution inherent in fossil fuels. But the photovoltaic panels that generate solar power do require a lot of space. Utility-scale solar requires roughly 5-10 acres of land for each megawatt that is generated. In Georgia, each solar facility typically ranges from 15 to 50 acres.

Protecting the State’s Biodiversity

Georgia currently generates approximately 1,500 megawatts of solar energy, which accounts for only 2% of the state’s energy portfolio (the rest coming from a mix of natural gas, coal, nuclear, biomass and other sources). If solar were to expand to comprise 20% of the state’s overall energy generation, this could require an additional 75,000 acres of land.

Much of Georgia is covered by forests and farmlands—land that plays a critical role in sustaining people and wildlife. The conversion of this land to solar generation could exact a heavy toll on environmentally sensitive habitat and the wildlife and people who depend on that land.

The Nature Conservancy is working to expedite smart growth of solar energy. We support low impact solar siting that minimizes negative effects on sensitive lands and habitat. We’ve developed a mapping tool to help solar developers site their projects right, tapping Georgia’s solar benefits while also protecting its biodiversity. We are proud to work with partners to achieve this win-win scenario for Georgia.

Leveraging the Power of Nature

Georgia's changing climate is impacting the places we love, our lifestyles and the health of our communities. We are seeing more severe storms, more extreme temperatures and less reliable water supplies. These changes have far-reaching consequences that affect many aspects of our lives, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.

The time to act is now, and the way forward is together.

Nature is our first line of defense against many climate impacts. It also provides a cost-effective solution to protecting communities and economies from the impacts of climate change like urban heat, extreme flooding, catastrophic storms and stormwater runoff.

In addition to coastal protection, natural ecosystems and nature-based solutions supply a host of other benefits, including improved water quality, recreational space and healthier fisheries. Trees and other green infrastructure also capture and store carbon, while providing critical habitat for Georgia's native flora and fauna.

That’s why we are investing in nature-based solutions on the coast. We help coastal communities such as Camden County prepare for and mitigate the impact of sea level rise, we work with partners to restore critical habitat such as maritime forests, salt marsh and oyster reef.