Good news for customers of Progress Energy: the North Carolina-based utility announced yesterday plans to expand the scope of SunSense, its solar energy incentive program. Check out this statement from Progress CEO, Bill Johnson:
“We are committed to implementing a balanced energy strategy to provide reliable electricity to the homes and businesses that depend on us, while keeping costs to customers as low as possible. Solar power will play an increasingly important role in providing clean energy for the regions we serve, and as cost-effective technologies continue to develop, we will work to bring new choices for our customers and make smart investments on larger-scale solar projects.”
The utility estimates that, over the next decade, the expanded program will add over 100 megawatts (mW) of installed solar power across Florida and the Carolinas. Here’s a quick run down of the anticipated incentive levels:
- Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems will be eligible for a rebate of $1.50 to $2.00 per watt, which will offset system costs by approximately 25 percent. This solar rebate is a new offer, and will be available in North Carolina and South Carolina beginning late this summer. Solar rebates will be made available in Florida beginning in 2010.
- Commercial solar PV systems will be eligible to receive a production-based incentive — i.e., a payment for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated by the system. Like the residential program, commercial solar incentives will be available starting late this summer in the Carolinas, and beginning in 2010 in Florida. Details will be made available in the near future.
Also, let’s not forget that Progress Energy already sponsors a pilot program to provide rebates for residents in Florida and the Carolinas who install solar water heating (solar thermal) systems. This summer, solar thermal incentives will be extended to businesses in the Carolinas. Currently, there are no plans to make such incentives available to Florida businesses.
Keep your eye on Progress Energy’s website, as details will be forthcoming.
Progress Energy seems like they are heading on the right direction. We have been depending on coal and fossil fuel to far too long. It’s time for a change. Time to explore the potential of renewable energy.
‘Will