This week, the Florida Public Service Commission approved four new solar energy programs for Gulf Power customers.

“Gulf Power’s new solar energy programs are designed to provide more choices for our customers,” said Jeff Rogers with Gulf Power. “And this is an exciting addition to our slate of EarthCents programs — even more ways for our customers to save energy and money.”

Solar Thermal Water Heating – This program is available to residential customers. Gulf Power will offer a $1000 rebate for the installation of a qualifying solar thermal water heater.

Solar PV – Gulf Power’s Solar PV Program will provide the company’s residential and commercial customers an incentive to encourage the installation of a solar energy system on their home or business. Gulf Power will offer an incentive of $2 per watt up to a maximum of $10,000 per installation of a qualified photovoltaic (PV) system.

The incentives for these two programs are limited and will be made available through a reservation process.

Solar Thermal Water Heating for Low-Income – Under this program, Gulf Power will facilitate the installation of solar thermal water heating systems in select qualifying low-income housing. The utility anticipates funding up to 15 low-income residential installations per year.

Solar for Schools – Gulf Power’s Solar for Schools program will provide capital funding to supplement deployment of PV or photovoltaic systems up to 10 kW in select qualifying public schools served by the utility. The program also will offer educational benefits — the data collected from the installed systems can be used in the schools' energy curriculum.

Next week, the FPSC is expected to rule on the remainder of the utility’s demand side management plan — designed to help increase energy efficiency among its customers.

Customers interested in participating in any of these programs should check www.gulfpower.com for an upcoming announcement on launch dates.