Courtesy Solarize Atlanta

The first contract for commercial installation through Solarize Atlanta will create a 4.3 kilowatt solar installation on an architect’s office building in Southwest Atlanta.

Solarize Atlanta is a joint project of the Atlanta Office of Resiliency, Central Atlanta Progress, Environment Georgia, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, Livable Buckhead, the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club, Solar CrowdSource and their competitively selected solar installers, Creative Solar USA for residential and Hannah Solar for commercial.

The program uses bulk purchasing and a streamlined process over four months to cut the cost of solar by up to 25 percent for residents of the City of Atlanta. Launched in April, Solarize Atlanta is focused on building more solar on homes and businesses in Atlanta.

Nearly 50 homeowners in Atlanta have signed contracts with the program and now the first businesses are moving forward with ‘solarizing’ their roofs.

“We’re pleased to be able to support the environment while participating in a community solar program,” said Cindy Cox the owner of Open Air Architecture, the signer of the first Solarize Atlanta commercial contract. “We like the idea that, unlike nuclear power, it will lower our electric bill and it doesn’t carry the risk of radioactive meltdown, plus Solarize Atlanta and Hannah Solar have made the process quick and easy.”

The organizers of Solarize Atlanta also announced an extension of the enrollment deadline for commercial roof owners interested in Solarize Atlanta to Dec. 31. After enrolling businesses would receive a free solar evaluation and have until the end of April to sign a contract with Solarize Atlanta.

For more information on Solarize Atlanta or to sign up for a free evaluation, visit solarizeatlanta.com.