ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) -
The city of St. Petersburg is using Florida sunshine to heat its water.
Twenty-one city buildings now use solar panels to power their water heaters. The city unveiled its newest solar panel insulation at the Coliseum.
"It demonstrated the city's pragmatism in how it utilized the federal dollars for the purpose of developing the alternative and conversation measures associate with energy," said Michael Connors of St. Pete Public Works.
The project is funded by federal stimulus dollars. The panels are expected to save the city $20,000 a year.
And the project also puts dozens of local contractors and construction crews to work.
