Florida Net Metering Changes Will Destroy the Industry

[mjs020294]

Florida has very affordable electricity so the cost benefits of solar are minimal to start with. Current net metering in Florida is basically a reverse meter system so any savings are off the most expensive band of units first. For me that means the first 6,000-7,000KW per year would be worth around 12.5 cents per KW. With this net metering model solar is financially beneficial if you keep the cost per KW panel under $2 after rebates, and avoid paying excessive finance charges.

A new bill is currently passing through the Florida House that replaces net metering with a payment system that highly favors the power companies. Under the new proposals power companies will only have to pay customers the energy costs involved in power generation, which is around 2.5 cents per KW. So basically 20% of the compensation many customers currently receive. Any existing solar customers will be grandfathered into the old meter metering contract for ten years, which is not long enough to recoup the initial outlay for many customers. This change makes solar a complete none starter for new solar customers unless they purchase batteries and/or minimize the exportation to the grid.

We were scheduled for a solar install this month but I have delayed it for the time being. Instead of going with a system that can replace 95% of our needs I am reducing the system down to only generate what we can realistically consume between 9:00am and 4:00pm. Thankfully a good chunk of are usage can be scheduled in that time period, for instance the pool equipment used 9KW a day.

Anyone else in the process of or considering solar in Florida should think long and hard about getting solar.

[MattSl]

Yes, I am also in the same boat. The bill just passed for 'favorable with committee substitute' yesterday.

Looks like it passed the committee, still needs to go to Florida Senate vote. Time to start sending letters.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1024

[solarix]

That's nothing compared to the damage the proposed California solar access charges of $8/kw/month are going to cause....

[MattSl]

That's pretty significant. I guess, if nothing else, it shows a negative trend across the country.

[SunEagle]

The PUC's in a lot of states are being pressured into changing the solar Net metering rules. IMO it will be the end of home solar if Net metering is watered down or reduced to lean more towards the POCO.

[J.P.M.]

That's nothing compared to the damage the proposed California solar access charges of $8/kw/month are going to cause....

That and the rest of the entire proposal is under review at this time. It'll probably happen in some form and maybe soon, but any action/vote taken by the CPUC won't occur until the commission president has "further reviewed" the proposal. See the CPUC website for details.

[mjs020294]

Although the power companies do have a valid point to some degree when it comes to net metering the bills being proposed swing the balance far to much the other way. Any bills should include enough grandfather time to pay for folks system that were installed recently. The new metering shouldn't be punitive and if customer chose to go off grid it should be allowed.

[SunEagle]

Although the power companies do have a valid point to some degree when it comes to net metering the bills being proposed swing the balance far to much the other way. Any bills should include enough grandfather time to pay for folks system that were installed recently. The new metering shouldn't be punitive and if customer chose to go off grid it should be allowed.

Some places allow people to go off grid other places will not allow it if you reside within city limits. That includes city water and sewer for some.

I guess the choice belongs to the homeowner to make the decision to either stay on grid or move and go off grid. But IMO going off grid will reduce the amount of power a homeowner is use to using unless they build a very big solar/battery system. It is a choice.

[bcroe]

For me that means the first 6,000-7,000KW
per year would be worth around 12.5 cents per KW.

That only makes sense if you say KWHour.

power companies will only have to pay customers the energy costs involved
in power generation, which is around 2.5 cents per KW.

pool equipment used 9KW a day.

That only makes sense if you say KWHour. Bruce Roe

[mjs020294]

That only makes sense if you say KWHour.



That only makes sense if you say KWHour. Bruce Roe

You knew exactly what I meant.

[mjs020294]

Some places allow people to go off grid other places will not allow it if you reside within city limits. That includes city water and sewer for some.

I guess the choice belongs to the homeowner to make the decision to either stay on grid or move and go off grid. But IMO going off grid will reduce the amount of power a homeowner is use to using unless they build a very big solar/battery system. It is a choice.

We live by the beach. Moving to some hick area 20-30 miles inland doesn't appeal.

[SunEagle]

We live by the beach. Moving to some hick area 20-30 miles inland doesn't appeal.

Then live by the POCO rules or don't. The choice is still yours to make. I still don't see what the issue is since most of my household cost are much higher then my electric bill.

[mjs020294]

Then live by the POCO rules or don't. The choice is still yours to make. I still don't see what the issue is since most of my household cost are much higher then my electric bill.

Knowing my luck I would be the one that got sued for cutting the wire.

As for savings I am all about ROI while factoring in opportunity cost. By making a few easy adjustments and switching to a heat pump water heater I have reduced our electric consumption by 33%. That has reduced the need for a large solar system. A 6kw array will drop our monthly bill to around $60 which is great considering we were running at $230 a month last year. I am happy with round $2,000 of annual savings for a total outlay of around $10,000. We will be retired in five years and the system will have paid for itself leaving us with a small monthly electric bill.

[J.P.M.]

You knew exactly what I meant.

I take folks at their word. Seems like you don't know the difference between a kW and a kWh or don't care if you convey incorrect information. Not taking the time and not making the effort to get the basics right is pretty inconsiderate, not to mention that it makes you lose credibility by telling us you don't even understand the basics of what you're writing about. We can fix ignorance. We can't fix rude,

[mjs020294]

I take folks at their word. Seems like you don't know the difference between a kW and a kWh or don't care if you convey incorrect information. Not taking the time and not making the effort to get the basics right is pretty inconsiderate, not to mention that it makes you lose credibility by telling us you don't even understand the basics of what you're writing about. We can fix ignorance. We can't fix rude,

If someone is talking about savings it blatantly obvious it is KWh they are talking about. If you want to make an issue about that it says a whole lot more about you TBH.