Peanut Growers aren’t usually the first group of businessmen and farmers that come to mind when discussing renewable energy, but with the rising cost of electricity and the sharp drop in solar prices, the drying sheds at APGG are now home to the largest roof mounted solar array in Georgia. The American Peanut Growers Group, LLC (APGG) in Donalsonville invested in this array as a commitment to sustainability. More than just simply environmental stewardship, there are significant financial benefits to going solar. By lowering peak demand from Georgia Power APGG is directly reducing its cost of energy – both now and in the future. With a thirty year plus expected life of the solar panels, the solar savings will continue to increase as electricity costs rise.
This 400kW solar installation was designed and built by Hannah Solar, LLC, Georgia’s leader in renewable energy, and uses Georgia’s homegrown solar panel manufacturer Suniva to efficiently harvest the sun.
Terry Shamblin, CEO of APGG said “We are proud that the 87 peanut producers who make up the ownership of American Peanut Growers Group, LLC are supportive of our environmental stewardship, and our sustainability, including this move toward renewable energy. Our new solar panel array, installed by Hannah Solar, and the contract approved by Georgia Power to purchase the power generated from it, is a smart plan for the future. Solar electricity generation makes sense from a long-term cost standpoint, as well as reducing U.S. dependency on other sources of fuel. We see many of our peanut product manufacturing customers spending a lot of time and money promoting sustainability, and we are glad to be doing our part.”
Not only has APGG done its part but the Donalsonville based group has done it in a unique way. Hannah Solar is the leading provider of solar barns in Georgia and the Southeast, making them the natural choice for APGG. Hannah Solar worked closely with Harold Still of Southern AgCom, Inc. to reinforce the structures to support the added weight.
Solar barns are essentially open sheds used as storage to protect equipment, feed or supplies from the elements. APGG utilized five of the existing drying sheds at their shelling plant. “American Peanut Growers Group, LLC built a new peanut processing facility in 2003, and it was designed to be one of the cleanest operating peanut shelling facilities ever built. The shelling plant is equipped with three 350-horsepower fans feeding bag houses filtering the air from our shelling process. Our air quality permits project will emit only a very small amount of particulate matter back into the air annually. The installation of the new solar panel electricity generation helps soften the blow of a high electrical use required to keep our air clean, making us more efficient and making our processes more sustainable,” explained Shamblin.
“We appreciate the help and assistance from Hannah Solar and Georgia Power Company to develop, install and implement this new equipment,” added Shamblin. Pete Marte, CEO of Hannah Solar agreed, “Working with Terry Shamblin and the entire board of APGG was a great fit for Hannah Solar. Not only do they understand the importance of using solar to mitigate their high electric consumption, but they also understood how this was good for Georgia jobs and protecting Georgia’s environmental future.” Marte added, “As we continue to work with Georgia Power, we are excited to have their support in creating a better, cleaner energy mix here in Georgia. Solar is the perfect vehicle to provide peak power, harvesting energy on site when needed most.”
About American Peanut Growers Group
The goal at APGG is very simple. APGG intends to deliver a high quality product on a very consistent basis. “We want to be considered a premium peanut processor, without all the individual ‘hand-picking’ required of most bar-ready plants. We want to align ourselves with customers who are willing to share a mutual trust, a mutual respect, and a mutual benefit. We plan to be here for the long haul, and we want to be known as the company willing to do the job right, and one that is always a good value for the price.”
-Terry Shamblin, CEO APGG
About Hannah Solar
Hannah Solar, LLC (HS) is a full service design and build, NABCEP Certified, solar integrator headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The team has 100+ combined years of experience in the energy, electrical, and construction industries with extensive project management experience. Hannah Solar currently has projects throughout the Southeast with the two largest roof mounted arrays in Georgia as well as numerous ground mounted solar farms, solar barns, and critical back-up power solutions.
“Our expertise and knowledge extends from agribusiness and family farms to commercial and industrial solar applications with a team of installation professionals that understand turn-key construction, and the unique electrical requirements crucial to the efficient harvest of solar energy.”
-Beth Bond, Hannah Solar
Hannah Solar has two affiliated companies:
Worry Free Power – A wholly owned subsidiary, providing turn-key Electrical Vehicle Charging Station infrastructure and Critical Back-up Generation services as a licensed Electrical Contractor in both Georgia and Alabama.
Hannah Solar Government Services – A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) working as a key contractor to build out the Presidential mandate for 30% renewable energy by the Department of Defense by 2020. Hannah Solar is a minority owner in this venture with majority owner being Ret. Col. Dave McNeil.
