Florida Power and Light is the largest electric utility provider in Florida, with approximately 63 solar energy centers across the state, capable of powering 945,000 homes, in addition to other utility farms.
They offer many services, but the one that most interests the people of Florida is their net metering for private solar system owners. Let’s explore what net metering is and how you can obtain a net metering connection for your solar property in Florida.
What is Net Metering?
Net metering is a process of exporting excess solar-generated electricity to the public power grid. In return, the owner of the home or business will get energy bill credits. This allows users to offset the electricity they consume from the grid later. It is one of the key incentives for solar energy adoption.
Which Systems Are Compatible with Net Metering?
There are three types of solar systems an owner can install on the property, but only two of them support Net Metering.
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Off Grid Solar System
This system contains only three key components: solar panels to generate energy, invertor to convert it from DC to AC, and solar batteries to store the generated energy. It doesn’t support Net Metering because it’s not connected to the grid.
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On-Grid (grid-tied) Solar System
An on-grid system is connected to the public energy grid and has two main components: solar panels to generate energy during the day and an inverter to convert it from DC to AC. At night, the system consumes energy provided by the grid connection. This system allows net metering to earn energy bill credits.
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Hybrid Solar System
Most advanced solar systems can generate energy, store it, send excess energy back to the grid, and fetch the energy from the grid when needed. Mean it allows net metering.
Eligible Energy Sources for Net Metering
Florida Power and Light consider following sources for net mertering:
- Solar energy (photovoltaic)
- Wind energy
- Biomass (landfill gas or methane)
- Hydroelectric power
- Ocean energy (tidal power or ocean currents)
- Hydrogen
- Waste heat
- Geothermal energy
If you have a qualifying renewable energy source installed on your property, such as a solar system or one of the above systems, you can apply for net metering. Here’s the general process:
- Application: Start by completing the online application for net metering.
- System Pre-approval: Your system will need to be pre-approved before installation. For a solar system, you’ll need to provide specific details about the inverter.
- Inspection: After installation, the system will be inspected by the local authority having jurisdiction in your area to ensure it meets all necessary standards.
- Final Submission: Once the inspection is passed, you will be asked to submit all required documents for the final application. There is typically a fee that must be paid for the application to be processed and approved.
- Bi-directional Meter Installation: The last step is connecting a bi-directional meter to your system. This meter will measure the amount of energy you use and the amount you send back to the public grid. Based on these readings, you will receive energy bill credits.
Florida Power and Light Net Metering Prices
There is only the fees you have to pay for net metering which depends on the size of the system installed in your home and how much energy you will be generating for the grid.
FPL provides net metering, enabling customers with solar systems to earn credits for excess electricity sent back to the grid. These credits are applied to future bills at the full retail rate, reducing overall costs. Any remaining credits at the end of the year are compensated at a lower, wholesale rate.
Conditions to Qualify For Net Metering
There are some point you need to verify befor applying for the net metering.
- System size: Your system must be of 10 kW to 1MW or above, to be able to qualify for the net metering.
- Installation Standards: The technology and the material used in installing a system must hav good quality and should be installed by a licensed professional according to local building codes and regulations.
- Grid Connection: It’s essential for a system to be connected to the grid, which is usually done by the company providing the net metering by installing a bi-directional meter.
Cities Eligible for Florida Power and Light Net Metering
If you are Living in following territories of florida you can get net metering services by FPL:
- Clearwater
- Daytona Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Gainesville
- Kissimmee
- Lake City
- Lakeland
- Melbourne
- Miami
- Naples
- Ocala
- Orlando
- Port St. Lucie
- St. Augustine
- St. Petersburg
- Tampa
- West Palm Beach
Other Companies in Florida Offering Net Metering
There are several utility companies in Florida, but the top ones offering net metering with high standards are Florida Power and Light (FPL) and Duke Energy. These are the largest utility companies in the state. They offer net metering for residential solar systems with capacities of up to 2,000 kW, which is typically higher than what most residential systems produce.
Solar Industry Watch: Your Partner in Solar Solutions
At SolarIndustryWatch, we provide top-notch solar services tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to install an on-grid, off-grid, or hybrid solar system, we have the expertise to guide you through the process and ensure that your system is eligible for net metering with Florida Power and Light or any other utility provider in the state.
Our team of professionals is dedicated to helping you harness the power of the sun to reduce your energy costs and contribute to a greener future. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in making the switch to solar energy.
FAQ’s
Q. Is Florida Power and Light the best net metering company in Florida?
Ans. In Florida, many companies offer net metering, but the two best options are Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy. Both companies provide robust net metering programs with competitive rates and reliable service, making them top choices for solar customers in the state.
Q. How much is Net Metering application fees?
Ans. Application fees vary depending on the size of the system. For instance, if the system ranges from 10 to 100 kW AC, the fee will be $400. For systems ranging from 100 to 2,000 kW AC, the fee will be $1,000. Systems smaller than 10 kW AC incur no application fee.
Q. Where can I find the total energy production from my system on my bill?
Ans. There is no information about the energy produced by the solar system on the bill. The only way to check the total energy produced by your system is through the inverter or by using a monitoring app provided by your solar panel installer.
Q. What happens to my energy bill credits by net metering?
Ans. Energy bill credits from net metering offset your monthly electricity consumption charges with the excess energy production from your solar system. Extra credits roll over to the following month on your next bill, if allowed by your utility company. In some cases, unused credits could expire at the end of a billing cycle or year. Be sure to check with your local utility for specific rules regarding the accumulation and expiration of credits.
