Duke Energy Brings Solar Power to Local Schools

PLAINFIELD, IND. - Duke Energy has installed photovoltaic systems in 10 Indiana schools to raise awareness of solar power among future generations.

The system will serve as an educational tool and a hands-on demonstration of solar energy at work. Participating schools include:

* Batesville Middle School – Batesville
* Carmel High School – Carmel
* Clay City Jr/Sr High School – Clay City
* Doe Middle School – New Palestine
* Greenwood Middle School – Greenwood
* New Albany High School – New Albany
* North Manchester High School – Manchester
* Rushville High School – Rushville
* Wabash High School – Wabash
* West Lafayette High School – West Lafayette

The photovoltaic systems are capable of producing about 2,000 kilowatt-hours a year, on average just enough power for a refrigerator, television, computer and a lamp in a home. Each system includes a computerized performance monitoring station so students can monitor the amount of electricity as it is generated as well as weather conditions affecting power production.

“While the amount of power generated is small, the educational benefit of seeing solar energy at work is a great first step and important,” said Michael Goldenberg, Duke Energy director of products and services.

The solar photovoltaic systems are connected to Duke Energy power lines, which allows any solar power generated to flow into the utility lines. The current program will continue through 2009, and Duke Energy will install a similar system at five additional schools. A similar program is also available to qualifying Indiana residential customers served by Duke Energy.

Duke Energy Corp., one of the largest electric power companies in the United States, supplies and delivers energy to approximately 3.9 million U.S. customers. The company has nearly 37,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas, and natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition, Duke Energy has more than 4,000 megawatts of electric generation in Latin America, and is a joint-venture partner in a U.S. real estate company.