The cooling season is here and higher electric bills are coming. Could it be feasible to capture the sunshine that is making homes and businesses hot and make it help with the power bill? Wouldn’t that also help reduce pollution and the use of fossil fuels? Is it feasible?

The first photovoltaic module was installed in Americus, Georgia in 1955. The state currently has 370 MW of solar PV capacity installed and operating. More systems are being installed continually because of dropping costs and of acceptable investment returns. Employment in the PV installation industry is increasing and there is a growing demand for trained personnel.
 
Kelly Provence, President of Provence Electric Inc. and CEO of its subsidiary, Solairgen will address the 6:00 PM, Monday, June 13th monthly dinner meeting of Georgia Society of Professional Engineers at the Piccadilly Cafeteria, Northlake. He will present on Solar Electric Industry Development in Georgia.  The presentation will discuss Georgia’s historical and current progress with solar energy, types of photovoltaic cells and modules, installation methods, assessing the suitability of a location, installation costs, measuring performance, types of systems and future projections. Mr. Provence said “Ten years ago, solar electric system installation was a niche market dominated by enthusiasts; today PV system installations share the lead with natural gas for new generating capacity in the U.S. With the rapidly growing energy storage market, PV system installation capacity will likely take the lead.” Currently registered professional engineers, those engineers aspiring to become PEs, and others engaged in engineering would benefit from the presentation. Members of the general public are also welcomed to learn about technology, engineering and public welfare.
 
Mr. Kelly Provence was involved in the early structuring of the Georgia Solar Energy Association and served as a director from 2005 to 2008.  He is the President of Provence Electric Inc. and CEO of its subsidiary, Solairgen. Founded in 2002 as a renewable energy design and installation company, Solairgen has since 2007 provided training for PV technical personnel. Over the past fourteen years Mr. Provence has designed and installed over 200KW of battery based PV systems and has designed, installed or consulted on over 10MW of grid interactive PV systems.  Currently he provides design consulting and inspection services to PV installation professionals. He holds three NABCEP certifications; Certified PV Installation Professional, Certified PV Technical Sales Professional and Certified Solar Thermal Installer. He has been a Licensed Master Electrician since 1995. Mr. Provence holds a degree In Marketing and Management and has spent most of his professional life working on electrical systems and solving solar PV engineering problems. In 2011 he was awarded Master Certified PV Trainer status from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.