If anything can be said about former president, Jimmy Carter, it's that his love for the environment, and people has never ended.  The Habitat for Humanity founder, is at it again with an amazing 10 acre 1.3 megawatt solar farm. Leased to an Atlanta based company Sol America, this amazing solar farm will provide more than half of the power needed for 683 residents that reside in his home town.  You can’t say it his chance to get rich either.  The entire project nets his family only 7000 a year.   Feb. 8 marketed the grand opening of this amazing 3,852 solar panel system among much cheers and fanfare at a traditional ribbon cutting.

When it comes to solar panels, Carter is no newbie.  During his presidency, he had 32  panels installed on the White House, only to see them removed when President Reagan took over in the 80’s.     To his delight he witnessed the reinstallation of a new solar photovoltaic system, by then President Obama in 2014. This current system is no small beast.  In all it generates 6.3 kilowatts of electricity for the Nation's presidential home.  Among Carter's many billings, the Department of Energy, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reign supreme. He was also key to signing the Public Utility Regulatory Act. This act signed into action on Nov. 9, 1978 was meant to promote energy conservation and promote greater use of domestic energy and renewable resources.

The entire project was started by SolAmerica VP George Mori.  His initial contact was to Carter's grandson, Georgia state senator Jason Carter.  Together they explored the idea of a solar farm, at some point reaching out to his grand dad who was excited to be involved and was happy to provide the acreage to make it happen.  In October of 2016 the project began and it was finished with a 25 year Power Purchase Agreement with Georgia Power.

The big question overall is will this project have any affect on the current Administration. It is no secret that President Trump has a strong focus on Coal.   In his view the major issue is the fact, it's not an economical alternative.   He stated back in 2012  “Solar, as you know, hasn’t caught on because, I mean, a solar panel takes 32 years — it’s a 32-year payback. Who wants a 32-year payback? The fact is, the technology is not there yet”.  It would appear that his view on the issue hasn’t changed especially with the current Energy Report out of Washington.  According to An American First Energy Plan, the overall focus ways towards fossil fuels, and riding the USA on dependance of foreign oil.   However the report does say that stewardship of the environment is of some importance. He does want to refocus the EPA to make clean air and water a priority.

As for Georgia, and the Carter Solar farm. It provides another win for renewable energy and a home run for solar.