Check it out.

The 16 outdoor light posts don’t use traditional electricity. Instead solar panels capture energy during the day that is stored in no-maintenance batteries.

Sensors that go off when the sun has set illuminate the long-life, energy-efficient bulbs.

The system can also be programmed to go on and off at timed intervals to save energy.

Watch the video above to hear Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Dan Robertson of Progress Solar Solutions discuss the project.

“This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence,” said Secretary Chu. “It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly.”

Secretary Chu announced a total of more than $154 million for State Energy Programs in 4 states: California, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Each of the states is receiving 40 percent of their total State Energy Program (SEP) funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

With the announcement, North Carolina will now have received 50 percent of its total Recovery Act SEP funding. The initial 10 percent of total funding was previously available to support planning activities; the remaining 50 p[ercent of funds will be released once it meets reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive more than $38 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $76 million.

North Carolina will establish several programs to increase renewable energy projects and energy efficiency in government, commercial, and residential buildings under its State Energy Program. The North Carolina SEP will use Recovery Act funding to establish revolving loan programs, competitive grant programs, and education and training programs designed to spur investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. A new revolving loan fund will be created to provide no- and low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, local and state governments, and schools and universities, along with competitive grants that will be available to businesses and organizations with innovative clean energy projects.

The state will also develop a multi-level training and workforce program through its community college and university systems to meet the needs of an emerging green economy. This education and training will focus on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies and will provide participants with skills to solve energy problems, reduce energy usage, save energy costs, and access state and federal funding opportunities.

Under the Recovery Act, DOE expanded the types of activities eligible for State Energy Program funding, which include energy audits, building retrofits, education and training efforts, transportation programs to increase the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and new financing mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program to help achieve national energy independence goals and promote local economic recovery. States use these grants at the state and local level to create green jobs, address state energy priorities, and adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Transparency and accountability are important priorities for SEP and all Recovery Act projects. Throughout the program’s implementation, DOE will provide strong oversight at the local, state, and national level, while emphasizing with states the need to quickly award funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies.

Eligible conservation projects that could be implemented include:

Cool roof technology to keep buildings cooler by emitting the sun’s heat back to the sky
Energy efficient HVAC units
Replacing single-pane glasses with double-pane glasses
Improved insulation
Solar panels for supplemental electricity generation
Cameras at intersections that will reduce wait time, idle time, fuel use and emissions
LED street lighting
Lighting upgrade in City buildings.

“There are a variety of ways we can utilize the stimulus dollars to improve our local environment,” said Jerry Dietzen, Environmental Services Director. “This is an ideal time for us to advance our energy conservation strategy and act on projects that will reduce our energy consumption and increase our awareness of best practices in building design and renovations.”

The stimulus funds can be used for any project or program that reduces air emissions, reduces total energy use and/or improves energy efficiency.

“Hopefully we will see significant returns on energy savings from each individual project,” Dietzen said.

The Senate agreed 44-2 to Monday night to House changes to a bill pushed by Senate leader Marc Basnight of Dare County designed to preserve environment and protect wildlife. The measure now goes to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature.

The bill only would apply to large stores on islands or peninsulas in Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties. It would require stores to use paper bags or have their customers bring in reusable bags.

Supporters have said the Outer Banks attract millions of tourists annually in part because they’re clean. They also say the bags can be swallowed by turtles that choke on them.

According to the EPA: Of the 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products ready for end-of-life (EOL) management, 82 percent (that’s 1.84 million tons) were put in landfills.

EEK! A quick Internet search led me to Recyclemycellphone.org, where I filled out a short form and even printed a free mailing label that will give me FREE shipping for the phone. Pretty cool.

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This training will take place on Wednesday, June 24 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Carrboro Creative CoWorking, 205 Lloyd Street, Suite 101 in downtown Carrboro. In this seminar participants will be guided in a decision-making process to consider “green” and “sustainable” business practices, where appropriate, for their enterprises.

Experienced, specialized, well-known speakers from our region will present information and answer questions in topic areas that will include: motivations to go green, energy analysis of your building and current operations, green building practices and standards (LEED), solar technology options, green marketing & branding, true cost benefit analysis. Additionally we have inspiring case studies from a number of local “deep green” businesses that range from – an exceptional coffee roaster to an organic cotton / environmentally friendly ink T-shirt company, a high successful restaurant group, a thriving organic / sustainable catering company, and others. The stories should be captivating. The information should be timely and useful.

The company will be creative, familiar, and all from Carrboro. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.  This is part one of a two part series of business training on this topic. “Going Green…” is a “by invitation only” training event for twelve local companies. Participants need to register to secure their space in this program since seating will be limited.

We look forward to a wonderful, productive, enjoyable day. For more information and to register for your place at this green table, contact: Holly Holland 919 918-7318 or email hholland@ci.carrboro.nc.us, Town of Carrboro, Office of Community & Economic Development

We have openings for 12 participants who did not attend the first session. Please RSVP.

The report, “The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering jobs, businesses and investments across America,” released Wednesday, lists North Carolina as among the top dozen states in growing “clean energy economy jobs.”  It also finds that North Carolina saw growth in the number of clean energy economy jobs, with such jobs exceeding the national average.  The report tracked clean energy economy job growth from 1998 through 2007, during which time the state saw clean energy economy jobs grow by 15.3 percent, while the overall job growth rate in the state was 6.4 percent.

In 2007, more than 1,700 clean energy businesses in North Carolina accounted for 17,000 jobs.  From 2006 through 2008, more than $82.5 million in venture capital was invested in North Carolina clean energy economy jobs.

“I’ve said before, and I will say again: Green is gold for North Carolina,” Perdue said.  “To get green right, we must build on our strengths that attract green companies – a well-trained, educated workforce; existing relationships between businesses and research institutions; and a strong link between energy policy and economic development.”

Gov. Perdue’s green energy plan includes the use of $18 million in federal recovery funds to create an Energy Investment Revolving Loan Fund. The fund will provide low- and no-interest loans, up to $1 million, to finance energy-saving projects at businesses, schools, nonprofits, state agencies and local governments.

She also proposes another $10 million to expand the state’s Green Business Fund to provide support to new, emerging and expanding green economy businesses.

Additionally, Gov. Perdue’s plan relocates the State Energy Office and state weatherization program to the Department of Commerce and reinvigorates the Energy Policy Council.

Read the details of Perdue’s full energy plan

Complete text of the Pew report

A North Carolina summary