TOCCOA, Ga. — The Stephens County Jail will soon begin operating in part on solar energy, a move county officials say will significantly reduce utility costs and provide long-term savings for taxpayers.
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved the solar panel project earlier this year, aiming to curb rising operational expenses at the jail, which had a $2.55 million daily operations budget in 2024. That budget covers costs such as utilities, medical care, housing, food services and supplies. Electrical expenses alone totaled about $82,000 by the end of last year, according to county officials.
In March 2025, the county and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office partnered with energy contractor GRP-Wegman to install solar panels on property near the jail. The months-long project passed final inspections earlier this month and is scheduled to go live Friday afternoon, Dec. 12.
County officials estimate the $1.1 million solar installation will immediately offset about 30% of the jail’s electricity costs. The panels are insured for 30 years, and projections show the system could offset 106% of the jail’s electrical costs over its lifespan.
“The installation of these panels will directly tie into and offset the jail expenses for electricity,” County Administrator Christian Hamilton said. “We anticipate an immediate reduction in the cost of electricity at the jail, offsetting the cost to the Stephens County taxpayers for their overall support of county operations.”
Hamilton said the project was made possible by using available county funds along with a federal solar investment tax credit, which will rebate 30% of the project’s cost once the system is online.
Sheriff Rusty Fulbright and Jail Commander Nathan Peek worked with county staff and GRP-Wegman throughout the planning and installation process, including determining system capacity and expected outcomes.
“This solar panel project just makes sense for our community,” Fulbright said. “It cuts our energy costs for the jail, boosts efficiency, and ultimately saves money for the taxpayers.”
County leaders and the sheriff’s office said they expect the project to deliver long-term financial benefits while strengthening cooperation between county government and public safety officials.
