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Mage’s solar panels, installed in 2013, have pride of place in front of Dublin High School in Laurens County. Solar panels downtown, at several other Dublin businesses and outside the police department, reflect community commitment to solar and Mage. Mage was persuaded with a $1.25 million OneGeorgia EDGE grant in December 2010, and “committed to create 350 jobs and to spur the investment of capital in the amount of $25 million within 60 months.” The total potential value of state incentives (including job tax credits, port tax credits, sales and use tax exemptions, QuickStart training and the EDGE grant) was estimated at $12,444,500, according to the Department of Economic Development. According to reports, Georgia beat out Mississippi and Arkansas. Just over four years ago, the German-based company chose to establish its North American headquarters in Dublin. The panels were provided by Mage Solar USA. “This day represents entities coming together to work toward a common goal and to break the ice for solar in Georgia.” “This is the first day of tomorrow,” said Public Service Commissioner Lauren McDonald, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. It was March 11, 2013, that Dublin City Schools in Laurens County broke ground on a 4,000-panel, 1.1 megawatt solar energy array to power the high school. What started out as a Georgia Public Policy Foundation commentary to mark Sunshine Week (March 15-21) and the two-year anniversary of Dublin High School’s award-winning solar array led to a trail of lofty projections, broken promises, unpaid bills, questionable math and taxpayers left on the hook. Closer to home, the silence is deafening: Few even know of the failure of Mage, a solar company that set up shop in Middle Georgia with great fanfare in 2011. Solyndra was a visible black eye for the Obama administration in 2011, when the solar panel manufacturer went bankrupt after taking in more than $500 million from taxpayers and private investors. Solar panels are lined up outside Dublin High School, where the groundbreaking ceremony took place two years ago this week for the 4,000-panel solar array on the high school campus in Middle Georgia.