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Progress Energy Florida expands its solar energy programs |
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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 |
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2007) -- Progress Energy Florida today announced an innovative program that will continue to expand the company's use of renewable energy sources.
The new program, called SolarWise for Schools, advances the use of renewable energy through the installation of solar energy systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, at schools throughout the Progress Energy Florida's 35-county service territory. As an added benefit, the new SolarWise for Schools program supports solar-energy education initiatives for students. Progress Energy has already partnered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Solar Energy Center to install PV systems at 11 schools throughout the company's service area as part of the SunSmart Schools program. The new SolarWise for Schools program will significantly accelerate the rate at which new PV systems can be installed at schools, to expand the use of renewable energy in Florida. In addition, it will continue to provide students and teachers with a valuable and interactive teaching tool. Schools receive the benefit of the solar power that is generated on-site. "Progress Energy Florida has a successful track record of using renewable energy sources to help homes, schools and businesses throughout our service territory generate electricity," said Jeff Lyash, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Florida. "Environmentally sensitive energy sources, like solar, are part of the company's balanced solution to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and result in a cleaner environment." Progress Energy customers can take part in SolarWise for Schools if they are enrolled in EnergyWise, the company's energy management program. Participation in EnergyWise is a smart, simple way to help manage Florida's growing energy use. EnergyWise enables Progress Energy to temporarily cycle off power to select electrical equipment -- such as central heating and air units, water heaters and pool pumps -- during periods of peak community demand. In exchange, customers receive monthly credits on their electric bill that can total more than $145 annually. Customers have the option to keep these credits or automatically contribute these monthly savings toward SolarWise for Schools. Currently, there are 350,000 customers enrolled in EnergyWise. "SolarWise for Schools is a great way for our customers to help educate young minds about the potential of renewable energy sources -- like solar -- and, at the same time, manage energy wisely," said Lyash. "Through this program, we hope to install a photovoltaic system at every school in our service territory. Informing students about the potential of solar energy is part of our ongoing commitment to renewable resources while meeting the future energy needs of our customers." To contribute to the SolarWise fund, customers must participate in EnergyWise. To enroll in either program, call 888-282-9757 or visit www.savethewatts.com for additional information. Participation in both programs is free for Progress Energy customers. Progress Energy offers some of the nation's most innovative and successful energy-efficiency programs, which encourage customers, contractors and builders to use electricity more wisely and to adopt renewable energy technology. Since 1981, Progress Energy Florida customers have saved almost $825 million in energy costs and eliminated nearly 7 million tons of carbon dioxide through participation in demand-side management. In addition to eliminating the need for 17 peaking power plants, demand-side management also has averted the production of more than 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity -- enough to power the city of Orlando for more than two years. Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), provides electricity and related services to nearly 1.7 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Progress Energy is the 2006 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence. In 2005, the company also received the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for dedication, commitment and sustained improvement in customer service. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.
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