South Brunswick High School Wins Solar Panels Through SunSense Schools Program

SOUTHPORT, NC – South Brunswick High School in Southport, N.C., is one of five winning schools across the Carolinas that will receive a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation through Progress Energy’s SunSenseSM schools program. Chosen from 12 finalists, the school will receive a 2-kilowatt solar PV demonstration system, valued at more than $20,000, as part of a partnership between Progress Energy Carolinas and the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ’N Community Foundation.

SunSense schools is a hands-on educational program for middle school and high school students that encourages them to develop innovative energy solutions. The solar demonstration array will be connected to the school’s electrical system and to Internet monitoring equipment, so students can view the panels’ real-time electricity production. Educational materials will also be provided to teachers to help South Brunswick High School integrate renewable energy learning opportunities into the classroom.

“We are proud to partner with the Carolina Hurricanes to provide South Brunswick High School with this unique, powerful tool for learning about the practical applications of solar energy,” said Ben Waldrep, vice president of Progress Energy’s Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport. “The enthusiasm for energy education from teachers and students across the region is encouraging for the future of alternative energy. I want to congratulate South Brunswick High and thank all of the schools who participated in the program.”

Funding for the program was provided through grants from the Progress Energy Foundation and the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ’N Community Foundation, which is affiliated with the National Hockey League team. The systems will be installed by Argand Solar, a North Carolina-based renewable energy company.

“The Carolina Hurricanes and the Kids ‘N Community Foundation understand the importance of advancements in renewable energy resources and we were excited to partner with Progress Energy on the SunSense schools program,” said Doug Warf, executive director of the Kids ‘N Community Foundation. “Our initial excitement was definitely warranted as we were very overly impressed by all of schools who applied. We have many great fans from the North Carolina coast and we are happy that South Brunswick will be a recipient.”

The Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation provides much needed funding to children’s charities and education programs throughout North Carolina. The Foundation has funded scholarship programs, youth hockey, educational and literacy efforts, children’s health programs, the arts and other children’s related initiatives. Annually, the Foundation provides cash and in-kind contributions of more than $1 million to charitable and educational programs in North Carolina. Every member of the Hurricanes organization is actively involved in community activities and the Hurricanes take great pride in the ability to have a positive impact in our state.

The other Progress Energy SunSense schools program winners are Owen Middle School in Swannanoa, N.C., Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City, N.C., Daniels Middle School in Raleigh, N.C., and South Florence High School in Florence, S.C.

“I am extremely proud of everyone who made it possible for South Brunswick High School to be one of the winners in this solar program. It was a valiant team effort by our community, teachers and students. Their commitment and ability to work together demonstrates our strengths and what makes South a special place,” said Vann Pennell, principal of South Brunswick High School. “We were the first high school in the state to develop an aquaculture program and this solar award will continue to help our school excel above the rest.”

The winners were chosen from nearly 30 schools that applied to be a part of the program. Finalist schools participated in a professional solar site evaluation and completed an energy project that was judged in regional competitions in December. Additional information on the Progress Energy SunSense schools program is available at www.progress-energy.com/sunsense.

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.