The basics of net-metering are as follows:
1. You produce solar power on your rooftop
2. Your house will consume as much power is produced, and any extra power will be shipped to the grid and delivered to your neighbor’s house.
3. You will receive a credit on your bill for the amount of excess power delivered to the grid at the same rate you pay for power.
4. You will only receive a maximum credit amount equal to your maximum consumption in a given year. (In other words, you can’t sell back more than you buy from FPL in a given year.)
This video describes the distinction between different levels of net-metering for most utility companies in Florida.
Utility attacks on net-metering don't hold up, here is why.
The truth of the matter is that utilities don't like solar because it means they don't get to sell you as much electricity. Cut and dry. But, since they can't come right out and say that, they come up with all sorts of reasons on why they claim Net Metering is bad. They simply are not true. Here are a few reasons why their arguments don't hold up.
CPUC Ruling and the effect it may have on Florida
This video talks about a unified effort across multiple states to do away with the basic solar program called Net-Metering, where excess power is sold to the grid to offset powered consumed at the property. The utilities and elected officials push what is known as "cross-subsidization" which has been proven to be not true. The most recent utility victory in California was at the hands of the California Public Utilities Commission and this video talks about how that could impact the solar market in Florida.
Well the bad news is the terrible net-metering legislation did in fact pass the Florida House and the Florida Senate. Amazingly, the misinformation put forth by bill sponsors Senator Bradley and Representative McClure combined with extremely disproportionate playing field of our state legislature combined with a weak and ineffective solar trade association was the perfect recipe for failure. The solar industry didn't stand a chance.
The GOOD news - Governor Ron DeSantis saw through the blatant cash grab that was baked inside the the legislation in addition to the fact that removing net-metering would have taken away a money-saving, subsidy free, option for Florida homeowners.
Odds are very high that the utility companies will be back again next year, but existing customers are grandfather in to current net-metering rates, so as long as you are in, you're in!
This legislative session in Florida, Senate Bill 1024 bill has been filed by Senator Denice Bradley and a matching bill, HB 741, has been filed by Representative Lawrence McClure. This bill, as it is currently written, would hamstring a critical policy in Florida. As it is currently written, existing solar customers face a threat to their contract with their utility company starting in 2033, and future solar customers will not be able to participate in the existing program after December 31st, 2022.
Reading:
Miami Herald Op-ed
Action item: with the button below, please write to your Representative and your Senator. A short, simple email is all that is needed. It should state that you are a solar customer, and you are requesting that the legislature does not take action to affect your current Net Metering contract.
Sailfish Solar LLC
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