Capacity of the solar photovoltaic generation systems located across Progress Energy Florida's service territory has now reached 1 MW, the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based utility says.
‘This milestone is significant because it represents real solar power interconnected with the electricity grid and is the result of years of collaboration with our customers,’ states Jeff Lyash, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Florida. ‘We believe that cost-effective, reliable solar power will play an important role in our balanced strategy to address the challenge of global climate change.’
The milestone was achieved with the interconnection of a customer-owned 60 kW solar PV system in Oviedo, Fla., on March 9. There are more than 140 residential and commercial customer-owned solar PV systems interconnected to Progress Energy Florida's electric grid, ranging in size from 1.2 kW to 60 kW.
In addition to the customer-owned PV systems, Progress Energy Florida sponsors more than 20 solar PV projects around its service territory. This includes 14 solar PV arrays installed at schools as part of the SolarWise for Schools and SunSmart Schools programs, which provide students with interactive learning opportunities to explore alternative energy sources. These school solar systems have a total capacity of 40 kW.
The company notes that it is aggressively pursuing new large-scale solar opportunities that make sense for customers and the state. The utility expects to sign large-scale renewable energy contracts in the future, as the technology continues to develop, and as state leaders determine the state's policy on renewable energy.
SOURCE: Progress Energy Florida
