Wiregrass Solar Commissioning Ceremony

Valdosta, GA, May 12, 2011– The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority along with Wiregrass Solar, LLC and Hannah Solar, LLC are proud to announce the completion and commissioning of one of Georgia's largest electric generating solar arrays in a ceremony Thursday May 12th at the facility adjacent to Mud Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Wiregrass Solar, LLC is an excellent example of a public/private partnership to bring economic development opportunities in renewable-sustainable energy production to Valdosta-Lowndes County, Georgia.  The project is on a 2 acre tract of land owned by the City of Valdosta, leased to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, then sub-leased to Wiregrass Solar, LLC (Georgia based renewable-sustainable energy production company) for construction of a $1.4  million solar photovoltaic facility to produce approximately 350,000 kwh of electricity annually.

The array is designed, engineered and constructed by Hanna Solar, Inc. (Georgia based solar energy company).

Pete Marte, President/CEO of Hanna Solar, offered, 'We are proud to play a role in the development and construction of a mix of renewable sustainable energy solutions for Georgia and the Southeast.'

The project was partially funded by a renewable-sustainable energy grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars for construction and installation costs.  Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development states 'Wiregrass Solar is a great operation at the forefront of this industry, and the perfect example of the kind of public-private partnerships we have in Georgia.  Clean energy facilities like Wiregrass Solar contribute hugely to energy efficiency and conservation in Georgia and we wish the company much success.'

The Industrial Authority would like to thank all parties working on the project, including the State of Georgia for their assistance through the Department of Economic Development in locating the solar facility in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community.