Progress Energy Florida offers solar panel rebates

Starting Oct. 4, Progress Energy customers can apply for the utility's 2012 SunSense program that gives up to $2 for every watt of solar panels they install on their home or business.

Progress Energy is making $1 million available to residential and commercial customers each year through 2014 for rebates on the installation of new solar panel systems.

The utility first made the rebates available in March and, within two days, all the 2011 funds were gone.

"The SunSense program is a key component of our strategy to assist those customers interested in investing in solar technology," said Vincent Dolan, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Florida. "We were pleased with the level of interest demonstrated when the 2011 rebates became available, and we're hoping for a similar response this time around."

In addition to the rebate program for solar panel installation, Progress Energy also offers a solar water heating program that provides rebates of $550 toward the installation of a qualifying system. And through its SunSense Schools Program, the company is partnering with schools serving as emergency shelters to install a 10-kilowatt solar systems.