Do I Still Have to Pay FPL If I Have Solar?
Ready to break up with Florida Power and Light (FPL)? Installing a solar system could be the answer you’ve been waiting for. Solar Bear of Tampa knows that it’s them, it’s definitely not you. Read on to learn what factors current FPL customers should consider when deciding to go solar.
If you are tired of relying on the utility giant, installing solar panels will indeed allow you to use less FPL electricity. But before you make that awkward breakup call, first consider the cost of a solar system. Several variables go into a system diagnostic – monthly electricity usage, shading or other obstacles, your roof direction, and the location of your home, just to name a few. Our team offers a complimentary energy audit that assesses each home and its electrical needs. There are also two types of systems to choose from – grid-tied and off-grid systems. The latter involves no electrical grid assistance and would require the homeowner to purchase a solar battery to store any excess energy.
With a grid-tied system, FPL offers a full retail net metering program for those that add solar to their home. You must apply for this program but once approved, FPL will install a bi-directional meter at your home. This meter will track the electricity sent and taken from the grid. Any excess electricity will be sold to FPL’s grid and either deducted from your monthly bill or credited toward a future bill. With FPL’s full retail net metering program, every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy produced is worth the same amount that a utility company charges for electricity. For example, if FPL charges $0.05 per kWh for electricity, then every kWh of solar energy produced is also $0.05.
There are two other areas to note when considering solar as an FPL customer. Solar panels will not be able to cover the entire electric bill so yes, you will still have an FPL memento to carry. It is in the form of a $25 minimum bill requirement that cannot be offset, no matter how much solar energy was produced. That one might sting but there’s a silver lining with the annual true-up held every January. FPL’s net metering program examines and adjusts for differences between estimated and actual solar consumption and production. If you have excess net metering credits at the time of the true-up, FPL will pay you roughly the average annual cost of generation per kWh before resetting the credit bank.
FPL may serve half of Florida’s residents but don’t be afraid to be your own light! If you are interested in learning more about solar energy for your home, speak with our team of experts at Solar Bear of Tampa. Call us at (727) 741-7442 or schedule your free estimate online today!
