Discover the Largest Solar Farm in Georgia (And What Lives Around It)

As the transition to clean, sustainable energy becomes more common and accessible, many states are beginning to realize the economic and environmental benefits of focusing on infrastructure such as solar power plants. . Georgia currently has approximately 35,000 acres (55 square miles) of land with solar power plants.

This accounts for his 0.9 percent of Georgia’s total land area. These solar parks generally help fight climate change and pursue sustainability. Installations on sandy soils in Georgia also caused erosion and excessive runoff. These results divided residents’ opinions about clean energy.

But the growth of solar power plants in Georgia has helped protect the environment from harmful emissions, boost the state’s economy, and create new jobs for residents. Here’s a closer look at Georgia’s largest solar power plant. Take a look at Twiggs Solar and the impact it has had on the communities around it.

What is the Twiggs Solar Farm?

Construction of the Twigs Solar Plant near Drive Ranch, Georgia was first announced in November 2018 and then began operations in September 2020. The farm consists of approximately 300,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels covering an area of ​​approximately 2,000 acres (3 panels). square miles).

The approximately $400 million Twigs Solar Center will generate approximately 450 gigawatts of energy per hour, powering 43,000 homes and preventing 209,844 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This is the largest self-supporting solar installation in the southeastern United States, making clean energy cheaper and more accessible to many Georgians.

Who Made the Twiggs Solar Farm?

Twiggs Solar Farm was designed and built by Origis Energy. Based in Miami, Florida, Origis Energy Group specializes in sustainable energy.

These include energy storage, the development of clean hydrogen uses, and of course solar energy. After founding his company in 2008, Origis Energy moved its European headquarters to the United States. There, it played a major role in spreading and popularizing clean energy throughout the country.

Origis Energy currently powers over 650,000 homes and saves about 4,000 tons of carbon emissions from coal. In addition to its commitment to providing clean energy, the company seeks to improve the communities in which it operates through tax incentives, job creation and other philanthropic activities.

The website even has a news page about their own and others’ efforts in the transition to a sustainable future. The group company itself has only about 130 employees. Origis Energy has created thousands of new jobs and opportunities for economic development in communities around the world.

Life in Twiggs County

Twigs County, also known as the geographic center of Georgia, occupies her 360 square miles in the state. Easy access to nearby counties and cities. With a population of 9,023 (as of the 2010 Census), most are rural parishes. The county is located on the Fall Line, a prehistoric coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.

Therefore, this area is rich in a mineral called kaolin. Kaolin acts as an absorbent. It is used in many medicines to treat conditions such as dry skin, diarrhea, and blood loss. The production of this mineral contributed significantly to the county’s economy.

The mining of minerals creates employment in the extraction, development and distribution of resources. Apart from the kaolin industry, most of the county residents have occupations such as agriculture, forestry and manufacturing.

Twigs County, formerly inhabited by the Creek Indian Tribe, was officially named in 1809 by the Treaty of Fort Wilkinson of 1802. The county continues to grow economically through innovations and projects such as the Twigs solar power plant. Advances in technology will also increase employment and growth opportunities in the future.

Wildlife in Twiggs County

In addition to common woodland creatures such as deer, squirrels and skunks, Twigs County is also home to several interesting animals. Reptiles like kingsnakes glide across the forest floor. Amphibians like the black-bellied salamander swim in ponds and nearby ecosystems.

Above it, birds such as cardinals, crows, wrens, and woodpeckers circled the ground in search of prey or potential mates. In terms of vegetation, trees such as the California Platanus fern and the Four O’Clock Flower predominate.

Other plants on the forest floor include Caroline nettle and pokeweed. Wildlife in Twigs County creates an ecosystem rich in biodiversity. Discover them in different environments in different geographical features of the region.

Where is Twiggs Solar Farm Located on a Map?

Twigs Solar Farm is located outside Dry Branch, Georgia. Initially she was registered for construction in November 2018 and then commissioned in September 2020. The park covers approximately 2,000 acres (equivalent to 3 square miles) and has approximately 300,000 acres of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

Conclusion

County is a great example of how innovations such as clean energy initiatives can transform and evolve communities. There was a clear resistance and reluctance to adopt sustainable practices, but projects like the Twigs solar farm helped. It powers more homes at incredibly low cost and improves entire communities by creating new jobs.

The Origis Energy Group’s focus on philanthropy is a bonus. The battle for renewable energy is not over yet. The resilience of areas like Twigs County is a testament to its reliability and advantage.