Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States, announced that its St. Petersburg, Florida, club has partnered with Solar Energy Management to become the first 24/7 Planet Fitness to be a net-zero energy building. The updated, energy efficient Planet Fitness is now 99.5% reliant on sustainable solar power.

“Retrofitting the Planet Fitness location is truly a breakthrough and the first of its kind to provide affordable solar power in Florida,” said Scott McIntyre, CEO of Solar Energy Management based in Tampa. “Having converted this building to zero energy will allow for significant energy savings for many years to come and we’re honored to have been a part of the project.”

Clean, renewable solar energy was incorporated into the building’s redesign which involved the placement of 179 kW of solar panels to feed energy throughout its 20,000 square-foot location. The install featured a solar power canopy and solar roof system fully integrated into the building’s infrastructure. As a result, more than 5,600 tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated, the equivalent to the planting of more than 130,000 trees, and the building’s monthly energy bill will be reduced by 99%. In addition to the solar power overhaul, the fitness location also upgraded its lighting to LED fixtures to further maximize energy efficiency.

“As a member of the St. Petersburg community, I am proud to be able to do our part in improving energy efficiency and contributing to a greener future,” said Doug Kuiken, Planet Fitness franchisee. “We encourage everyone to check out the club and see exactly how much power is being produced by the solar panels using monitors available in the hallway.”

Planet Fitness offers extremely low prices (memberships for just $10 or $19.99 a month) and a variety of benefits including a hassle-free environment called the Judgement Free Zone, brand name cardio and strength equipment, fully equipped locker rooms, flat screen televisions, unlimited small group fitness instruction by a certified trainer and much more.