Net Metering

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some locals are expressing concerns that parts of a newly approved Orlando Utilities Commission plan could hurt incentives for people getting solar panels.
OUC just approved a plan to significantly reduce the use of coal to make electricity. They are starting with converting coal-fired plants to natural gas, but ultimately the goal is net-zero carbon emissions.

People who have solar panels generate power during the day when the sun is shining and earn credits that they can use for electricity at night.

They're worried OUC could get rid of that net metering option.
"OUC's plan to do away with net metering will kill solar viability for people like us," Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.
READ: OUC half marathon on Saturday is the first in-person race in Orlando since the pandemic began
Sheehan, who has solar panels, blasted OUC in Monday's city commission meeting, saying it would discourage people from converting to the clean energy.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani sent a letter expressing similar concerns, stating, "These concerns make it clear that more public engagement is needed."

HarveyH55 wrote:
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orlando-residents-officials-raise-concern-over-possible-changes-solar-energy-metering/5HF2DJHTOFBENP53AWM24U6XYQ/

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some locals are expressing concerns that parts of a newly approved Orlando Utilities Commission plan could hurt incentives for people getting solar panels.
OUC just approved a plan to significantly reduce the use of coal to make electricity. They are starting with converting coal-fired plants to natural gas, but ultimately the goal is net-zero carbon emissions.

People who have solar panels generate power during the day when the sun is shining and earn credits that they can use for electricity at night.

They're worried OUC could get rid of that net metering option.
"OUC's plan to do away with net metering will kill solar viability for people like us," Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.
READ: OUC half marathon on Saturday is the first in-person race in Orlando since the pandemic began
Sheehan, who has solar panels, blasted OUC in Monday's city commission meeting, saying it would discourage people from converting to the clean energy.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani sent a letter expressing similar concerns, stating, "These concerns make it clear that more public engagement is needed."

Basically, OUC is pulling out of one of the incentives, that got a lot of people to use their Obama incentives, to install grid-tied solar panels, instead of stand-alone systems. Might get worse than they think, since their solar production goes straight to the grid, and their bill is offset by the amount produced. Some new arrangement will need to be made, some system changes, different meter. Otherwise, OUC would just be getting free energy, and the homeowner would go back to paying the full bill, and get no benefit from the solar panels. The grid-tie option, was the cheapest, and simplest offered, since the home just uses power off the grid, uninterrupted. Not sure what OUC has planned, but it's likely they will get a lot of free electricity for a while anyway. I don't think too many people will go to the expense of changing over to stand-alone. The solar panels on the roof, aren't likely to provide uninterrupted service, everyday, so they stay on the grid. OUC will probably have to offer some payment for the power produced, but not likely much.

HarveyH55 wrote:
My guess is there was an Obama subsidy tied to the net metering scheme, that just ran out, or will shortly, leaving OUC to pick up the full cost. Solar panels are only feeding the grid, during low demand, and much probably goes to waste, which the government doesn't mind paying for.

gfm7175 wrote:

HarveyH55 wrote:
My guess is there was an Obama subsidy tied to the net metering scheme, that just ran out, or will shortly, leaving OUC to pick up the full cost. Solar panels are only feeding the grid, during low demand, and much probably goes to waste, which the government doesn't mind paying for.

Probably. I am not up to date on such matters, however. Others would know better than me.

gfm7175 wrote:

HarveyH55 wrote:
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orlando-residents-officials-raise-concern-over-possible-changes-solar-energy-metering/5HF2DJHTOFBENP53AWM24U6XYQ/

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some locals are expressing concerns that parts of a newly approved Orlando Utilities Commission plan could hurt incentives for people getting solar panels.
OUC just approved a plan to significantly reduce the use of coal to make electricity. They are starting with converting coal-fired plants to natural gas, but ultimately the goal is net-zero carbon emissions.

People who have solar panels generate power during the day when the sun is shining and earn credits that they can use for electricity at night.

They're worried OUC could get rid of that net metering option.
"OUC's plan to do away with net metering will kill solar viability for people like us," Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.
READ: OUC half marathon on Saturday is the first in-person race in Orlando since the pandemic began
Sheehan, who has solar panels, blasted OUC in Monday's city commission meeting, saying it would discourage people from converting to the clean energy.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani sent a letter expressing similar concerns, stating, "These concerns make it clear that more public engagement is needed."

Basically, OUC is pulling out of one of the incentives, that got a lot of people to use their Obama incentives, to install grid-tied solar panels, instead of stand-alone systems. Might get worse than they think, since their solar production goes straight to the grid, and their bill is offset by the amount produced. Some new arrangement will need to be made, some system changes, different meter. Otherwise, OUC would just be getting free energy, and the homeowner would go back to paying the full bill, and get no benefit from the solar panels. The grid-tie option, was the cheapest, and simplest offered, since the home just uses power off the grid, uninterrupted. Not sure what OUC has planned, but it's likely they will get a lot of free electricity for a while anyway. I don't think too many people will go to the expense of changing over to stand-alone. The solar panels on the roof, aren't likely to provide uninterrupted service, everyday, so they stay on the grid. OUC will probably have to offer some payment for the power produced, but not likely much.

Wow... that's unfortunate.

gfm7175 wrote:
I just wonder how the "net-zero carbon" people expect to power their infrastructure overhaul plans... The sun and wind alone can't do it. Heck, the SOTC currently can't even "keep the lights on" for their citizens the way it is...

HarveyH55 wrote:
I don't think OUC will lose money, regardless. Either screw over the 'greeners', or raise rates to cover the waste.

Into the Night wrote:

gfm7175 wrote:

HarveyH55 wrote:
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orlando-residents-officials-raise-concern-over-possible-changes-solar-energy-metering/5HF2DJHTOFBENP53AWM24U6XYQ/

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some locals are expressing concerns that parts of a newly approved Orlando Utilities Commission plan could hurt incentives for people getting solar panels.
OUC just approved a plan to significantly reduce the use of coal to make electricity. They are starting with converting coal-fired plants to natural gas, but ultimately the goal is net-zero carbon emissions.

People who have solar panels generate power during the day when the sun is shining and earn credits that they can use for electricity at night.

They're worried OUC could get rid of that net metering option.
"OUC's plan to do away with net metering will kill solar viability for people like us," Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.
READ: OUC half marathon on Saturday is the first in-person race in Orlando since the pandemic began
Sheehan, who has solar panels, blasted OUC in Monday's city commission meeting, saying it would discourage people from converting to the clean energy.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani sent a letter expressing similar concerns, stating, "These concerns make it clear that more public engagement is needed."

Basically, OUC is pulling out of one of the incentives, that got a lot of people to use their Obama incentives, to install grid-tied solar panels, instead of stand-alone systems. Might get worse than they think, since their solar production goes straight to the grid, and their bill is offset by the amount produced. Some new arrangement will need to be made, some system changes, different meter. Otherwise, OUC would just be getting free energy, and the homeowner would go back to paying the full bill, and get no benefit from the solar panels. The grid-tie option, was the cheapest, and simplest offered, since the home just uses power off the grid, uninterrupted. Not sure what OUC has planned, but it's likely they will get a lot of free electricity for a while anyway. I don't think too many people will go to the expense of changing over to stand-alone. The solar panels on the roof, aren't likely to provide uninterrupted service, everyday, so they stay on the grid. OUC will probably have to offer some payment for the power produced, but not likely much.

Wow... that's unfortunate.

No, this is a good thing. It means OUC will not be required to buy the most expensive power source. They can go back to using the cheapest means to produce power, thus lowering electrical costs for everyone.

Into the Night wrote:

gfm7175 wrote:
I just wonder how the "net-zero carbon" people expect to power their infrastructure overhaul plans... The sun and wind alone can't do it. Heck, the SOTC currently can't even "keep the lights on" for their citizens the way it is...

Very true. The SOTC imports a lot power from Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. They import more power than any other territory or any State. I say we should not allow them to import power anymore. Cut 'em off. They can generate their own power, if they have a mind to.