Georgia Power continues to offer options to connect customers to solar

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), opened enrollment for its new CARES Customer Identified Resource (CIR)/b) program, approved in the 2025 IRP. CARES CIR lets commercial and industrial customers propose and subscribe to additional renewable projects at value-creating prices.The program is approved for up to 3,000 MW of new renewables, split between utility-scale and distributed generation. Georgia Power has procured more than 2,200 MW of new solar in the last two years and signed 752 MW of PPAs through the CARES 2025 RFP.

Positive

• CARES CIR approved for up to 3,000 MW of new renewables
• More than 2,200 MW of new solar procured in last two years via CARES
• CARES 2023 RFP totals over 1.4 GW of solar PPAs pending PSC approval
• Five CARES 2025 PPAs signed for 752 MW of solar across Georgia
• Additional 91 MW of battery energy storage approved under CARES 2023 RFP

Negative

• Over 1.4 GW of CARES 2023 solar PPAs remain pending PSC approval
• CARES CIR Distributed Generation RFP window not expected to open until Q4 2026

News Market Reaction – SO

+0.14%

+0.14% Session close to close

In the Jun 25 session, SO gained 0.14%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights over 2,200 MW of new solar and up to 3,000 MW of CARES CIR capacity, re...

Analysis

This announcement highlights over 2,200 MW of new solar and up to 3,000 MW of CARES CIR capacity, reinforcing SO’s clean-energy strategy. Historical news often saw mild downside drift; investors may watch execution, regulatory support and insider net selling as risk factors.

Key Figures

New solar procured: more than 2,200 MW CARES CIR capacity: up to 3,000 MW Large-customer threshold: above 3 MW +5 more

8 metrics

New solar procured more than 2,200 MW New solar through CARES program in last two years

CARES CIR capacity up to 3,000 MW Additional renewable energy projects approved under CARES CIR

Large-customer threshold above 3 MW Annual energy demand for CARES CIR Utility-Scale eligibility

Smaller-customer range 1 MW to 3 MW Annual demand range for CARES CIR Distributed Generation eligibility

Distributed project size 250 kW to 6 MW Size of locally sourced solar projects in Georgia

CARES 2023 solar PPAs 1,068 MW New solar power purchase agreements approved under CARES 2023 RFP

Battery storage (BESS) 91 MW Battery Energy Storage Systems approved under CARES 2023 RFP

CARES 2025 contracts 752 MW Solar PPAs signed through CARES 2025 RFP

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jun 15 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jun 15	Nuclear license renewal	Positive	-0.2%	NRC granted 20-year subsequent license renewal for Georgia’s Plant Hatch units.
Jun 03	Storm prep & grid spend	Positive	-0.0%	Georgia Power highlighted hurricane preparedness and $1.3B grid investment initiatives.
Jun 01	Leadership appointment	Positive	-3.3%	Georgia Power named Anthony Oni vice president of Corporate Affairs to lead communications.
Jun 01	Community impact report	Positive	-3.3%	Nicor Gas detailed >$6M in donations and broad community and environmental initiatives.
May 28	Rate reduction approval	Positive	-1.3%	Georgia PSC approved lower rates, with $50/year savings for typical residential customers.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent operational and regulatory headlines for SO have generally been positive while the stock has tended to drift slightly lower afterward, indicating a pattern of modest negative divergence on good news.

Key Terms

integrated resource plan, distributed generation, power purchase agreements, battery energy storage systems

4 terms

integrated resource plan regulatory

"which the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) stipulated agreement"

An integrated resource plan is a utility’s long-term roadmap showing how it will meet future electricity needs using a mix of power sources, energy efficiency, demand reductions and storage while balancing cost, reliability and regulatory requirements. Like a household budget that plans income, bills and savings, the plan reveals expected investments, operating costs and risks, so investors use it to assess future capital spending, potential rate changes and long-term profitability.

distributed generation technical

"CARES CIR Distributed Generation allows eligible metered commercial and industrial customers with smaller annual energy demands"

Electricity produced close to where it is used rather than at a large, central power plant—examples include rooftop solar, small wind turbines, and local gas generators. For investors, distributed generation matters because it can change how power is bought and sold, reduce demand for traditional utility services, create new revenue streams for installers and technology providers, and expose assets to different regulatory and reliability risks, like a neighborhood adding many home solar systems.

power purchase agreements financial

"Georgia Power establishes long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with qualified developers"

A power purchase agreement is a long-term contract in which a buyer agrees to purchase electricity from a specific generator at a set price and schedule, much like a multi-year subscription for energy. For investors, these contracts matter because they lock in predictable revenue and price terms, reducing exposure to volatile wholesale power markets and making project cash flows and financing risks easier to evaluate.

battery energy storage systems technical

"approval of 1,068 MW of new solar PPAs and 91 MW Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) under the CARES 2023 RFP"

Large, grid-connected rechargeable battery systems that store electricity for later use, like a giant household battery for cities or power plants. They matter to investors because they help balance supply and demand, enable more renewable energy, reduce outage risk, and create revenue through services such as selling stored power at peak times or participating in grid stability programs, while requiring upfront capital and having performance limits tied to lifespan and degradation.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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New Customer Identified Resource programs expand how commercial and industrial customers can support their sustainability efforts; Company has procured more than 2,200 megawatts of new solar in last two years through CARES program 

ATLANTA, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power has opened enrollment for the new Clean and Renewable Energy Subscription Customer Identified Resource (CARES CIR) program, which the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) stipulated agreement. As part of Georgia Power's commitment to clean energy, Georgia Power routinely seeks utility-scale and distributed solar generation resources through competitive request for proposals (RFP) processes, in which renewable energy project developers bid in a project. Commercial and industrial customers can then subscribe to the CARES program where they receive renewable benefits associated with those projects. CARES CIR is a customer-driven expansion on this procurement and subscription concept that allows commercial and industrial customers to identify and submit additional renewable energy projects to Georgia Power at prices that will create value for all Georgia Power customers.

Interest in CARES subscriptions continues to grow as more customers look for ways to support renewable energy. By allowing customers to bring forward their preferred renewable energy projects, the CARES CIR program expands access to renewables while preserving benefits and maintaining protections for all Georgia Power customers. Once projects are approved, Georgia Power establishes long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with qualified developers and works with participating customers to execute subscription agreements.

"The CARES CIR program represents the next step in giving our customers more choice and flexibility in how they meet their sustainability goals," said Wilson Mallard, director of renewable development for Georgia Power. "By enabling customers to identify and subscribe to renewable energy projects that align with their priorities, we're expanding access to clean energy while maintaining reliability and value for all of our customers across Georgia."

CARES CIR, which is approved for up to 3,000 additional megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects, divides projects into two distinct programs:

• CARES CIR Utility-Scale allows eligible metered customers with annual energy demands above 3 MW to subscribe to renewable projects larger than 6 MW.
  
  
• CARES CIR Distributed Generation allows eligible metered commercial and industrial customers with smaller annual energy demands between 1 MW and 3 MW to subscribe to locally sourced solar projects in Georgia ranging from 250 kilowatts to 6 MW in size. The program will be filed through the traditional Distributed Generation RFP process, with a Notice of Intent period and application window expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Georgia Power Expands CARES Utility-Scale Programs
Last year, Georgia Power announced PSC approval of 1,068 MW of new solar PPAs and 91 MW Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) under the CARES 2023 RFP. Recently, two additional CARES 2023 RFP solar PPAs totaling 385 MW were filed for approval with the PSC, bringing the CARES 2023 RFP total to more than 1.4 gigawatts, pending final PSC approval.

Through the CARES 2025 RFP, approved in the 2022 IRP, Georgia Power has signed five contracts for 752 MW. The PPAs were selected by Georgia Power following a competitive solicitation overseen by an independent evaluator and PSC staff. The facilities will be located throughout Georgia and include:

• Appling County: 20-year PPA providing 78 MW of solar capacity
• Decatur County: 30-year PPA providing 130 MW of solar capacity
• Jefferson County: 25-year PPA providing 194 MW of solar capacity
• Sumter County: 30-year PPA providing 200 MW of solar capacity
• Warren County: 25-year PPA providing 150 MW of solar capacity

To learn more about the CARES program, including the new CARES CIR process, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/CARES.

About Georgia Power 
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What is Georgia Power's new CARES CIR program for Southern Company (NYSE: SO) customers?

CARES CIR is a customer-identified renewable energy subscription program for commercial and industrial customers. According to Georgia Power, it lets eligible customers propose and subscribe to additional renewable projects at prices designed to create value for all Georgia Power customers while supporting sustainability goals.

How much renewable capacity is included in Georgia Power's CARES CIR program?

CARES CIR is approved for up to 3,000 MW of additional renewable projects. According to Georgia Power, these projects are split between utility-scale resources for larger users and distributed generation solar projects sized from 250 kilowatts to 6 MW for smaller commercial and industrial customers.

How much solar has Georgia Power procured through the CARES program in recent years?

Georgia Power reports procuring more than 2,200 MW of new solar in the last two years through CARES. According to Georgia Power, CARES 2023 RFP solar PPAs now exceed 1.4 GW pending PSC approval, and CARES 2025 RFP has added 752 MW across five contracts.

What PPAs were signed under Georgia Power's CARES 2025 RFP in Georgia?

Georgia Power has signed five CARES 2025 PPAs totaling 752 MW of solar. According to Georgia Power, the contracts include projects in Appling, Decatur, Jefferson, Sumter, and Warren counties, with PPA terms ranging from 20 to 30 years across the portfolio.

When will the CARES CIR Distributed Generation RFP open for Southern Company (SO) customers?

The CARES CIR Distributed Generation program will follow the traditional Distributed Generation RFP process. According to Georgia Power, the Notice of Intent period and application window are expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 for eligible commercial and industrial customers.

What are the eligibility thresholds for Georgia Power's CARES CIR utility-scale and distributed programs?

CARES CIR Utility-Scale targets metered customers with annual demand above 3 MW; projects exceed 6 MW. According to Georgia Power, CARES CIR Distributed Generation serves metered commercial and industrial customers using 1–3 MW annually, subscribing to local solar projects from 250 kilowatts to 6 MW.