Jim Bottone will present on Walton EMC's Cooperative Solar Program. Their first solar generation facility is a 1-megawatt site in northeastern Walton County, and consists of 4,280 panels and produces approximately 2 million kilowatt-hours of solar electricity per year. Their second facility is a 2.5-megawatt site in south central Walton County, and consists of 10,700 panels and produces approximately 5 million kilowatt-hours of solar electricity per year. Jim will discuss these sites, pricing and availability, and other aspects of the Cooperative Solar Program in general.
Jim Bottone is currently employed by Walton EMC as Vice President of Walton Energy. The position is responsible for Walton Gas, Walton Solar, as well as legislative and regulatory issues. Walton Solar is the Cooperative Solar projects run by Walton EMC and subscribed to by its members.
Jim graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1985. Worked as an environmental engineer for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 1985 until October 1998. Worked in various capacities in wastewater treatment including domestic wastewater and industrial sources including concentrated animal feeding operations and steam electric power plants. Achieved his Professional Engineering license in 1990 and ended his time with the department as the administrator of the industrial wastewater section.
Began work with the Georgia Public Service Commission in May of 2000 in the natural gas section as a staff engineer. Worked on a variety of projects concentrating on rule writing and legislative issues. Jim began his career with Walton EMC in 2006.
