Carolina Solar PowerRALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 20, 2010) – A water treatment plant in Raleigh, N.C., is now home to one of the state’s largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Carolina Solar Energy built the 250-kilowatt (kW) array at the city of Raleigh’s E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant, and is selling its output to Progress Energy Carolinas for distribution to its customers.
This solar PV array is made possible by Progress Energy’s SunSenseSM commercial solar PV program, which is designed to encourage the development of renewable energy by offering a premium price for solar power developed on commercial rooftops. In 2009, Progress Energy accepted proposals for a total of more than 2,000 kW under this program.
“We are committed to developing solar power, along with energy efficiency and state-of-the-art power plants, as part of a balanced approach to meeting our region’s growing energy demand,” said Lloyd Yates, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Carolinas. “Our SunSense programs and this project continue our long history of partnering with local communities, and we are proud to help advance this innovative technology.”
This solar PV array is the first in the Southeast to use First Solar’s thin-film PV technology, which allows the panels to generate electricity for longer periods during the day. It was commissioned on Dec. 30, 2009, and is expected to generate approximately 325,000 kilowatt-hours this year – roughly equal to the annual energy demand of 22 typical homes. The PV array will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 230 tons, which is equivalent to conserving 26,000 gallons of gasoline.
The E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant is located at the southwest corner of Falls of the Neuse and Raven Ridge roads in Raleigh. The array is located on the roof of the plant’s “clearwell,” a large concrete structure that stores clean water before it is sent to be used by city residents. Carolina Solar Energy has a 20-year lease with the city, and the city has an option to buy the solar array in the future. No city capital investment was required for the project.
“The City of Raleigh is aggressively pursuing every possibility in the realm of sustainability,” said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. “Bringing all of these local elements together to this rooftop is producing not only kilowatt energy but enthusiasm and creative energy for what all we can do next.”
The city and Progress Energy Carolinas, which is headquartered in Raleigh, have already partnered on several “green” initiatives. These include installing energy-efficient LED streetlights, preparing the city for electric vehicles through the NC Get Ready project and announcing a 1.2-megawatt solar PV array to be built at the Neuse River Waste Water Treatment Plant.
This is the third solar project that Carolina Solar Energy has developed with Progress Energy. The other two solar PV arrays are a 75-kW array at the RBC Center in Raleigh and a 650-kW array in Person County. Both are in operation.
“We believe consumer demand for green power will quickly outpace supply in our state,” said Carolina Solar Energy founder Richard Harkrader. “One of our goals with this highly-visible project is to show that solar power isn’t just for people in California and Arizona; it’s feasible on a large scale here in North Carolina.”
About Carolina Solar Energy Carolina Solar Energy, LLC was founded in 2004 and develops solar PV projects 100 kW and larger. CSE provides design, financing, construction and operation management to a diverse customer base of commercial, nonprofit, utility and government clients. For more information about Carolina Solar Energy, visit the company’s Web site at www.carolinasolarenergy.com.
About Progress Energy Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 22,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Award, the industry’s highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence, and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder’s Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. Progress Energy celebrated a century of service in 2008. Visit the company’s Web site at www.progress-energy.com.
About the City of Raleigh: The City of Raleigh provides the complete range of governmental services including police and fire protection, transportation services such as transit and street construction and maintenance, a comprehensive solid waste and recycling program and a vast array of environmental services, water and sanitary sewer services, parks, recreation and cultural services that make Raleigh ubiquitous among America’s “best cities” lists. Raleigh Public Utilities Department not only serves Raleigh with water and sewer service but also the Towns of Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon.
### Media Contacts:
Progress Energy: 877-641-6397
Carolina Solar Energy: 919-682-6822
City of Raleigh: 919-996-3100