AES Distributed Energy has announced the commissioning of a 4 megawatt (MW) solar PV project located in the town of Dublin, in the County of Laurens, Georgia. This system is the first of two solar PV projects being developed by AES Distributed Energy and its partners, collectively expected to supply 20 MW to the Georgia Power utility grid. The second, 16 MW project, is under development and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2016.

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, will purchase 100% of the energy production from both projects from AES Distributed Energy pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). These projects will be among the first utility-scale solar installations for Georgia Power. Their development rights were awarded as part of the 2013 Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative (GPASI) solicitation for 60 MW of utility-scale solar generation.

"We are thrilled to have commissioned one of the first projects under Georgia Power's ambitious solar energy initiative," said Rob Masinter, COO of AES Distributed Energy. "We are committed to providing safe, clean, reliable solar power to the Georgia Power electric grid for at least the next 20 years."

AES Distributed Energy co-developed the projects with Inovateus Solar and MS Solar Solutions Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. MS Solar Solutions is providing construction capital and long-term equity financing, while AES Distributed Energy will be the long-term owner and operator of both solar PV facilities.

"Georgia Power is pleased to see this solar farm coming online as part of our Advanced Solar Initiative. Here in Georgia, through a constructive regulatory approach, and strong working relationships with solar developers, one of the fastest growing and most competitive solar markets in the nation is bringing more solar to customers, without an impact on rates." Said Ervan Hancock, Georgia Power Renewable Implementation Manager.

Gregory Electric Company is serving as primary Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor for the two projects, collectively designed with 26 MW PV capacity utilizing SolarWorld panels mounted on Array Technologies single-axis trackers. Schneider Electric central inverters deliver the rated 20 MW power.