  In this communication, we report a theoretical attempt to understand the
electronic and optical properties of germagraphene, a two-dimensional graphene
analogue. We study two different structures, C$_{17}$Ge and C$_{16}$Ge. In the
C$_{17}$Ge structure, a germanium atom replaces a carbon atom while in
C$_{16}$Ge structure, a carbon-carbon bond is replaced by a single germanium
atom. These two types of doping have been experimentally made possible by
Tripathi \etal [{\it{ACS Nano (2018) 1254641-4647}}]. We find that C$_{16}$Ge
has a planar structure, whereas, the Ge atom in C$_{17}$Ge settles in an
out-of-the plane position, resulting in a buckled structure. Due to Ge doping,
the band-gaps open up in both. The 1.227 eV direct gap of C$_{17}$Ge is ideal
for effective light absorbance and optoelectronic devices. Further study of
optical properties supports this claim as well.
