On Wednesday, Raleigh, N.C.-based power companyProgress Energy Inc.announced a plan to expand the use of solar energy in the Carolinas and Florida by more than 100 megawatts over the next decade. “The move makes Progress Energy the latest in a string of U.S. utilities that have committed to buying more power generated from renewable sources,”Reutersreports.
The utility’s string of initiatives include incentives for residential customers who buy solar installations for their rooftops. The program would offer $1.50 to $2 a watt, or about 25 percent of the installed cost of the solar system. Progress will also offer incentives for solar water heating for both residential and commercial customers and will install solar rooftop systems on selected schools in its service area at no cost to the schools.
