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by Addison White
MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Cherry Street Energy has installed a 162-panel solar system at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia’s Buck Melton Center to reduce operational costs and offset 75 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
The Boys & Girls Club celebrated the new development with a ribbon-cutting at the new Buck Melton Center on Thursday at 12 p.m.
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"Cherry Street will operate and own and provide services for the next 20 years," Said Stacie Chatfield, Chairwoman for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia. "Today was filled with so much pride and joy. It just shows a great partnership in providing resources for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia."
Buck Melton was a distinguished Macon attorney and civic leader. He held the office of mayor of Macon from 1975 to 1979.
Now, the Buck Melton Center provides a secure, nurturing environment for the youth organization, fostering an environment for ages 5–18, offering programming dedicated to academic achievement, healthy living and character development.
"Buck Melton was an incredible leader for Macon through one of the most challenging times in its history," Said Michael Chanin with Cherry Street Energy. "Our contract with the Boys & Girls Club is for generations. We hope that, like Buck Melton has impacted our community for generations, the Cooperations of Renewable Power can support the city and the community around it for generations."
To promote long-term sustainability, Cherry Street Energy has deployed a 162-panel solar array for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia (BGCCG). The system is projected to produce 115,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, covering over 20% of the building’s needs, while cutting carbon emissions by approximately 75 metric tons. These operational savings allow the center to reinvest more funding directly into youth programs and community initiatives, according to a release.
"The Boys & Girls Club is an incredible institution in Macon that supports children after school and in the summer, and we can help them control the cost of their electricity with solar panels that we install on their roof at no capital expense," Said Chanin. "The 1500 solar panels on the roof of the center will create about 20% of the overall consumption over the course of the year, especially in the middle of the summer heat."
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