In the heart of Georgia's Classic City, something inspiring is happening at the local library. The Athens-Clarke County Library isn't just a place to check out books anymore—it's become a shining example of community-powered clean energy in action.

This past April, the library unveiled stunning solar panel canopies in its parking lot, transforming an ordinary parking area into a clean energy powerhouse. These panels generate enough electricity to power 20% of the library's annual energy needs—equivalent to powering 27 homes for an entire year. Joey Crews, Energy Program & Conservation Coordinator for ACC's Sustainability Department, says the panels will offset even more energy during Georgia's sunny summer months, potentially reaching 23% of the library's needs.

But the good news doesn't stop there. Since June, two DC fast chargers for electric vehicles have been humming beneath those solar canopies, offering residents a perfect combination: spend 20 minutes browsing books while your car charges with clean, solar-generated electricity. In just a few months, these chargers have already provided nearly 28,500 kWh of charging power—the equivalent of keeping 3,600 gallons of gasoline out of the air and preventing 22,600 kg of greenhouse gases from polluting the community.

Local resident Bruce Menke, a Clean Energy Generation member, has noticed the transformation firsthand. "There are ample reasons to be excited and optimistic about the reduction in the use of fossil fuels in our community," he says, noting that electric vehicles, once rare on Athens roads, are now "very much in evidence"—daily reminders of positive change happening right in their neighborhood.

The library project is part of Athens-Clarke County's ambitious Clean and Renewable Energy Plan, adopted in 2022, which aims to meet 100% of community electricity demand with clean energy by 2050. Municipal and government properties are set to reach this milestone even sooner—by 2035.

Why It Matters: Athens has long struggled with energy burden, with residents spending a higher percentage of their income on electricity than state and national averages. Georgian electricity prices have jumped 40% in recent years, creating real hardship for families. By reducing overhead costs through solar power, the library system can redirect those savings toward supporting the community with more programs and resources.

Laura Iyer, Founding Director of the Southern Sustainability Institute, sees the library solar project as part of something bigger. "That combination of economic relief, environmental benefit, and community resilience is powerful," she explains. "It can move us closer to a more equitable Athens."

The ACC Library serves over 240,000 residents across five counties in the Athens Regional Library System. By powering even one library with sunshine, the system reduces its vulnerability to utility rate hikes and fossil fuel unpredictability, ensuring more resources stay available for the people who need them most.

From a Community Energy Fund established in 2020 to $750,000 allocated for clean energy projects in 2025, Athens is proving that sustainable progress happens one solar panel, one charging station, and one engaged community member at a time. The future is bright in the Classic City—and it's powered by the sun.