Progress Energy to expand solar initiatives

The company's SunSense strategy is expected to expand the scope and use of solar energy in the Carolinas and Florida by more than 100 megawatts over the next decade, officials said. The cost of implementing the program is expected to have minimal impact on customer bills, they said.

"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," Chairman, President and Chief Executive Bill Johnson said in a statement. "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."

A residential solar photovoltaic program will start late this summer, and proposed incentives offer $1.50 to $2 per watt for residential customer solar installations, which represents about 25 percent of the installed cost of the systems.

A residential solar water heating program, which is already established in Florida, includes rebates for customers who install solar water heating capability.

A commercial solar photovoltaic program also will be available this summer, paying commercial customers that install solar systems per kilowatt-hour for energy produced. Incentive payments for energy production will be market based.

A solar water heating program for commercial customers also will start this summer.

The Solar for Schools program is a partnership to install photovoltaic systems on schools in Progress Energy's service areas. Selected schools will receive a two-kilowatt solar installation at no cost.