Cherry Street Energy, the County’s renewable energy provider, to upgrade existing solar power system with battery storage.
ATLANTA, GA [8/20/2024] - Fulton County’s Metropolitan Library is set to become its first building to combine solar power with battery storage, transforming it into a clean energy resilience hub. The project not only showcases Fulton County’s leadership in sustainable infrastructure but also sets a precedent for other counties and cities looking to enhance their energy resilience and reduce their carbon footprint. Cherry Street Energy, a leading renewable power company, will spearhead this innovative project.
“Fulton County Government is leading the effort to provide our communities with the ability to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to climate change, extreme weather events, emergencies and health crises. We are especially grateful for the efforts of everyone in our entire sustainability and resiliency community who have worked with our Library program since 2004, keeping us at the forefront of sustainability efforts across Fulton County and within libraries,” said Gayle Holloman, Executive Director of the Fulton County Library System.
The project’s unanimous approval by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners marks a significant milestone in the County’s commitment to sustainable energy. Michael Chanin, CEO of Cherry Street Energy, applauded the Board’s vote as “reaffirming the County’s dedication to providing reliable and renewable energy at all County facilities.”
The initiative builds on a successful partnership that began in 2021 with the signing of a 20-year Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA). Under this arrangement Cherry Street installs, owns, operates and maintains solar power systems across Fulton County, providing competitively priced renewable electricity with no upfront costs or ongoing maintenance fees for the County. In addition to batteries, the SEPA allows for adding more solar systems across the County, as well as technologies like electric vehicle charging.
The new battery system will enhance the library’s resilience against grid outages, allowing the facility to continue serving the community during and after emergency events, including extreme weather caused by climate change. It will also enable the County to derive more value from the existing on-site solar facility. “The combination of battery storage and solar power will allow better leveraging of onsite renewable energy, creating cost savings and providing resiliency for the building and residents of Fulton County,” said Cherry Street Energy’s CTO Dr. Ben Damiani.
Since 2021, the solar array at the Metropolitan Library has significantly reduced the facility’s reliance on traditional energy sources. The system has offset 365 tons of carbon, enough to power 65 homes for a year.
A $300,000 grant from the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network and Global Philanthropy Partnership will support the battery installation, scheduled to begin later this year.
Cherry Street Energy Media Contact: Ben Smith (Bsmith@cherrystreetenergy.com | 678-756-0463)
