FPL’s construction of solar power plants is heating up
Why do so few Floridians own rooftop solar systems? Aside from the cost, part of the problem could be that most consumers know nothing about solar panels or systems. Getting estimates can be daunting as they don’t even know what questions to ask a prospective installer.
A Florida Public Service Commission report released this month found that in 2016, in the state of 20 million residents, only 15,565 residential and commercial utility customers owned photovoltaic solar systems. In Palm Beach County 580 customers of FPL and Lake Worth Utilities had solar systems as of December.
But Vikram Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Boston-based EnergySage, an online comparison shopping marketplace for solar systems, said Tuesday that the solar market in Florida is growing as panel costs have decreased worldwide while production rises.
“Every time production doubles, the cost drops 10 to 15 percent,” Aggarwal said, adding that global demand for panels is doubling every 18 months.
In November, Florida voters rejected a proposal known as Amendment 1. Backed by the utility industry, it would have limited rooftop solar expansion.
Since November, the average cost for a rooftop solar system in Palm Beach County has decreased 12 percent, Aggarwal said.
In contrast to Amendment 1’s defeat, in August 2016, more than 70 percent of voters approved pro-solar Amendment 4.
On June 16, Gov. Rick Scott signed the enabling legislation for the amendment, which extended tax breaks for owners of renewable energy systems to non-residential properties. The changes take effect in January.
In the last seven months, the average cost per watt of a solar system in Palm Beach County has dropped to $2.71 from $3.10. The cost of a typical 8-kilowatt system has decreased to $21,699 from $24,761, and that’s before the 30 percent federal investment tax credit is factored in, according to EnergySage’s data.
“Shopping for solar is a difficult, confusing and complex process,” Aggarwal said. “We have tried to make the process easy, empower consumers and put them in charge.”
After signing up at EnergySage, potential customers enter their address, whether they want the system in their backyard or on their roof, and how much they spend on energy on a monthly basis.
EnergySage, founded in 2013, notifies installers of the consumer’s interest, and the companies provide estimates. The companies have been screened to make sure they are qualified. EnergySage researches their history, experience, licensing, training, insurance and more and also speaks with the contractors.
“They know we are watching over them, and that consumers have the ability to provide feedback. It acts as a way to disci-
Construction is underway on Florida Power & Light’s next eight solar power plants, which in total will produce enough energy to power 120,000 homes, company officials said this month.
The plants under construction are in Indian River, St. Lucie, Hendry, Alachua, Putnam and DeSoto counties. The total investment is about $900 million.
The new energy centers, which will comprise more than 2.5 million solar panels and nearly 600 megawatts of capacity combined, are all on track to begin powering FPL customers by early 2018.
“FPL is living proof that it’s possible to generate cleaner energy and deliver outstanding service while keeping customers’ elec- tric bills among the lowest in the nation,” said Eric Silagy, FPL’s president and CEO. “We are proud to be advancing affordable clean energy infrastructure in Florida in close partnership with respected environmental advocates, community leaders and our customers. Together, we are bringing the benefits of solar energy to more Floridians faster and more affordably than ever before.”
Each of the eight new solar plants will be capable of generating 74.5 megawatts of zero-emissions energy when the sun is shining. Power from the plants will feed FPL’s energy grid.
FPL spokeswoman Alys Daly said, “These solar energy centers will pay for themselves in fuel savings over the life of the