PV panels are placed on the roof of a manufactured home.

Progress Energy's Manufactured Housing Photovoltaic Pilot Project (MHPV) was a comprehensive study that integrated a builder of manufactured housing, solar research and an electric energy provider. The project combined the efficiency of a mass production housing operation and the latest innovation of photovoltaic technology.

Progress Energy teamed up with two noteworthy partners to conduct this unique research project - The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), an institute of the University of Central Florida, and Palm Harbor Homes, one of the largest producers of manufactured homes in the United States.

The two objectives of the project were to reduce the cost associated with the installation of a PV system and to monitor and evaluate the energy and demand impacts on Progress Energy's generation.

In 2000, Progress Energy collaborated with its partners to address the engineering, insurance, maintenance, legal and monitoring issues related to this complex research project. The PV systems were installed on six Palm Harbor homes by the fourth quarter of 2001.

Results

• Compared with the time associated with typical PV installation on a manufactured home, which is 3-4 days, we were able to reduce the installation time to 1-2 days because of the efficiencies gained in the factory setting.

Awards & Recognition

• The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) honored the MHPV nationally, as one of the top four Innovation winners of 2002.
  
  
• The Council for Sustainable Florida named Progress Energy Florida the winner of the 2003 Sustainable Florida Award. The annual awards competition recognizes governmental and non-governmental organizations, businesses and universities that have demonstrated a commitment to Florida's long-term prosperity and overall environmental health.