Florida PSC reports more than 50 percent rise in consumer-owned renewables

By the end of 2017, customer-owned renewable generation increased by 51 percent, according to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC).

A new report from the agency found that these system interconnections reached 24,157 last year and generation capacity stemming from renewable sources increased by 46 percent, to reach 204,755 kilowatts (kW). Solar panels represent the most significant chunk of this, but renewables are making gains across the board. The fact that PSC rules promote renewable development as a means of lowering utility bills is also aiding their growth.

“In 2008, after our net metering and interconnection rules were established, there were 577 customer-owned renewable systems in Florida,” PSC Chairman Art Graham said. “Since then, the continued annual growth—totaling 4,100 percent—is a testament to the effectiveness of the PSC’s strategy to ‘prime the pump’ for rooftop solar.”

Under Florida law, investor-owned utilities are required to offer expedited interconnection agreement processes to customers. Further, customers that generate more energy than they use in a billing cycle through renewable sources are credited for that excess energy to offset their next bill. The state also offers electricity utility and rural electric utility customers incentives, by requiring their electricity retail sellers to provide standardized interconnection agreements and net metering programs for customer-owned renewable generation systems.