U.S. Senator Ossoff and U.S. Secretary Granholm visit Savannah, investing in solar energy

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and U.S. Secretary Of Energy Jennifer Granholm said that the state of Georgia has the largest solar manufacturer in Western Hemisphere, one reason for the state to lead the way in clean energy.

The two made a visit to Savannah Friday, to talk with state and city leaders on why communities should invest in solar energy.Additionally, Granholm states that people opposed to the investment, comes from a lack of information.

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“So, from an individual point of view, people should know that they can save, on average about 20 percent on their energy bills by putting solar on their roof," said Graholm.

The need to invest in solar energy is what Sen. Ossoff and Sec. Granholm are pushing for and they say the state of Georgia has the resources to do so.

“Georgia has it all. We have the third-largest container port in the county. We have the busiest airport in the world. We have the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in the entire Western hemisphere,” said Ossoff.

Solar energy advocates state that rooftop solar is not just for wealthy communities, it's a collective partnership, making sure they provide fair solutions for everyone to have affordable access.

“If they are going to install rooftop solar, they’re not paying 12 cents for solar and then getting a three-cent credit for what their sending back to the grid. We want to make sure that they’re getting fair treatment, and that the solar power that is sent to the grid is compensated fairly," saidKatie Chiles Ottenweller, Vote Solar Southeast Director.

On June 21, 2020, U.Ss Senator Jon Ossoff introduced the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act, stating that it "will would provide tax credits for American manufacturers at every stage of the solar manufacturing supply chain, from production of polysilicon to solar cells to fully assembled solar modules."

"Solar roofs, and solar manufacture. Solar roofs is making it affordable for everybody to install rooftop solar. So, this isn’t just something that wealthy people can invest in but everybody in Savannah, everybody in coastal Georgia, everybody across our state can benefit from solar energy," Said Ossoff.

Leaders said the goal is to get to 50%, we currently sit at 5%.

“Let me just restate what this is about. This is about ending the pollution that threatens our world and threatens coastal Georgia, by transitioning to clean energy. This is about revitalizing American manufacturing and creating tens of thousands of jobs while we do it, and this is about Americas energy independence," said Ossoff.

Sen. Ossoff and Sec. Granholm also visited the Seapoint Industrial Terminal Complex after the roundtable discussion.