FPL made $10 billion in revenue last year, and $1.3 billion of that was profit, but it still has to charge people extra to develop solar on the side?
FPL has touted solar programs for years. Back as far as 1998, it was asking for donations to fund solar projects. Yet today, according to its website, the power FPL generates at three sites is enough to power only about 15,000 homes.
In the 2000s, FPL had a Sunshine Energy Program to which customers voluntarily contributed $9.75 a month for renewable energy, but the program was canceled when it was discovered after five years that the majority of the funds went to marketing and there was little actual solar development. In 2012, FPL had a solar rebate program for people who installed private solar systems — but the refund money reportedly ran out in two minutes and went only to the few people who could type the fastest when time came to submit rebate requests.
Yet FPL spun the latest news as a win-win — a boon for those who want to support solar energy, with no increase of electric bills for customers who choose not to participate.
FPL is required by law to provide electricity at affordable rates. The utility says it will present its new solar program for approval by the Public Service Commission, which regulates power plants.
President of FPL Eric Silagy released a statement saying the company is committed to the future of Florida clean energy.
"As the leader in providing the most solar power in the Sunshine State, FPL has long been committed to planning for Florida's clean-energy future, and we, along with our customers, believe solar should play an increasing role in Florida's energy mix. For customers who care deeply about advancing clean energy — including those who may not have the ability or desire to install their own solar systems — we are proposing to create a voluntary, community-based partnership that is designed to help grow solar in Florida without costing a penny for those who choose not to participate."
Wonk, wonk, wonk...
The pilot program is projected to begin accepting "voluntary customer contributions" in 2015. Visit FPL.com/solar to find out more about the proposed new pilot program.
