This photovoltaic system, installed at Lyman High School in Longwood, Fla., helps students learn about alternative energy sources.

Progress Energy Florida partners with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to demonstrate photovoltaic (PV) systems at schools throughout Progress Energy's service territory.  This demonstration is part of the SunSmart Schools program, a collaborative initiative that provides students with interactive learning opportunities to explore alternative energy sources.

Using special curriculum, students can track the energy production of the PV systems, even if they don't attend a school on which one is installed. They also conduct scientific experiments and make mathematical computations based on the PV system's energy production.

Progress Energy Florida's EnergyWise^SM customers help fund PV system installations and education by donating credits to PEF's SolarWise for Schools^SM program.  The credits represent monthly savings through the EnergyWise program, which can be more than $145 per customer annually.  The unique partnership is helping to propel PEF toward its goal of having a PV system on each school it serves.

EnergyWise and SolarWise for Schools are part of Progress Energy's approach to ensure clean, reliable, affordable power today and in the future.  It achieves this by using a balance of energy efficiency, cutting-edge enironmentally responsible technology, and alternative energy projects such as biomass, solar power and hydrogen fuel cells.

The SunSmart Schools project was launched in 2003 with the installation of 2- to 4-kilowatt (kW) PV systems at five schools. The systems now are in place at:

• Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
• Nature Coast Technical (Brooksville, Fla.)
• Winter Park 9th Grade Center (Winter Park, Fla.)
• Lyman High School (Longwood, Fla.)
• Celebration School (Celebration, Fla.)
• Homosassa Elementary School (Homosassa, Fla.)
• Lake Sybelia Elementary School (Maitland, Fla.)
• Forest High School (Ocala, Fla.)
• Polk Avenue Elementary School (Lake Wales, Fla.)
• Admiral Farragut Academy (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
• Tuscawilla Montessori Academy (Oviedo, Fla.)
• St. Petersburg High School (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
• Waterford Elementary School (Orlando, Fla.)

For more information, visit the SunSmart Schools Program.