The way we generate, distribute and use energy will change dramatically in the years ahead. Possible federal mandates may require that 10 percent of electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012 and 25 percent by 2025. For Georgia Power and its parent, Southern Company, all options are on the table, including solar energy.

Solar’s photovoltaic (PV) technologies usually work best in the clear, dry climates of the western United States. Humid conditions in the Southeast often create clouds and haze that decrease PV performance, but PV technologies are improving and costs are decreasing, making PV usage in the Southeast more cost-competitive.

The company is evaluating the performance of cutting-edge solar technologies through a new demonstration project, installing seven different photovoltaic (PV) technologies on the roof of its headquarters building in Atlanta. Each test technology will be capable of producing five kilowatts of electricity. The demonstration project began in the fall of 2008 and will collect data for a minimum of 12 months. More.

Georgia Power also purchases power from customers who install solar on their homes or businesses, at premium solar rate at of 18.31 cents per kilowatt-hour, helping to promote the use of solar in the state. While technology and installation costs are still high, federal and state incentives help bring the costs down considerably.

Much of the rapidly-improving solar technology is based on the work of Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Regents Professor and Georgia Power Distinguished Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech, Dr. Rohatgi is an internationally-recognized expert in the field of photovoltaics. He is the founding director of the University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaic Research, funded by the Department of Energy.

Dr. Rohatgi is also the founder of Suniva, a two year-old start-up company that makes high-efficiency solar cells based on technology he developed in Georgia Tech labs. The company has more than $1 billion in orders for these cells from companies across the globe, and in late July completed a $75 million series C financing round. Cells produced by Suniva are also part of the demonstration project at Georgia Power’s corporate headquarters.

As technologies advance and new inroads are made in sustainable energy, Georgia Power will continue to support cost-effective renewable energy projects that will meet the growing energy needs of customers, while improving the environment. For more about Georgia Power’s Green Energy Program, visit us at http://www.georgiapower.com/green.