Solar Rebates In Florida — More Up For Grabs!

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

---

A news release from Florida Power & Light’s Office of Clean Energy has just announced a funding program envisioning a range of solar installations across its region. Florida Power & Light (FPL) expects to educate and expedite growth in solar power and solar water heating through a variety of means.

Residential and commercial enterprise customers, take note, one of the big offerings is targeted at you. For FPL customers who want to install solar water heaters or solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, the time is now (er… coming very soon). Solar rebates from FPL will help you to save money by installing solar water heaters or solar PV panels on your property. However, there is a limit to how much money will be given out, so it’s important to act fast. More details are below, and you can also simply head on over to: www.FPL.com/solarrebates

Additionally, public school systems and other educational institutions are the fortunate recipients of actual renewable energy installations from FPL under the program. Habitat for Humanity (plus other select nonprofit organizations) will also benefit, with FPL refurbishing 400 (in need) family homes with the installation of solar water heater systems.

PRNewswire  (Juno Beach, FL, Oct 1, 2013) has more:

All of these projects are part of a pilot program approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.

“FPL has long been an advocate for solar power and new technologies, and we recognize we’re in a unique position to help educate the public, and especially young people, about energy, which is such a critical issue for our future,” said Buck Martinez, senior director of FPL’s Office of Clean Energy. “We’re excited to bring dynamic, hands-on educational tools to more and more Floridians than ever before over the course of the next year.”

Solar Rebates For Individuals & Businesses

If you’re looking to cash in on the solar rebates for customers, please note that October 15 is when the solar rebate application period opens, and funding will go to the quickest applicants. The news release continues:

“FPL residential and business customers who plan to install solar water heating or solar PV systems can apply for rebate funding beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2013. Rebate reservations for the available funding will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding for the solar rebates is limited to a total of approximately $9 million.”

An individual solar installation requires a significant upfront investment from the customer. Based on data provided by customers who received FPL solar rebates during the past year, the upfront cost of a typical, 5-kW residential solar system is currently in the range of$20,000 to $25,000. At $2,000 per kW, FPL’s solar rebate would offset $10,000 for this size installation.

“The cost of solar PV and solar water heating systems vary significantly, depending on the contractor, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase,” Martinez said.

Interested customers must apply online at www.FPL.com/solarrebates and then complete the required process to receive a rebate reservation. Applications for approximately $9 million in rebate funds will be accepted for: residential PV, business PV, residential solar water heating and business solar water heating. FPL recommends that customers who are interested in applying for a rebate prepare in advance and have all the necessary components of the application ready because funds are expected to be reserved quickly. Application checklists and updated program details are available on www.FPL.com/solarrebates.

After the available funding has been fully reserved, a limited number of customers who do not receive a reservation will be placed on a standby waiting list in the order in which their applications were received. Should funds become available due to cancelled reservations, customers on the standby list will be notified.

The most exciting part of this (for children, educators, moms and pops) is to witness and take part in the present diversity of solar energy technologies that are growing around the world. Thanks to FPL,  as of October 1, 2013, 90 schools and five science centers in 23 counties have been confirmed to participate in this renewable energy program.

Remember, renewable energy is not only about conservation of resources. It is about our children’s long-term health. Solar power is about our children’s lives. Clean energy supports and refreshes concentration and focus. It does not interfere with concentration like pollution from fossil fuel power plants does.

Solar Installations & Educational Materials For Schools & Nonprofits

The school and nonprofit projects are presently in various stages of approval, permitting, and construction completion. Here’s more information from FPL on the educational installations and teaching support:

FPL will continue to install solar-power systems with real-time energy monitoring at nearly 100 educational facilities during the next year to provide dynamic educational opportunities for students across Florida. The electricity generated will be credited back on the school’s electric meter to help reduce electric bills, and students get to learn about clean energy.

As of Oct. 1, 2013, a total of about 90 schools and five science centers in 23 counties have been confirmed to participate in the program and are currently in various stages of approval, permitting and construction completion. FPL will announce completed installations in the coming months.

In addition to the solar panels, each school participating in the program receives teacher training and educational materials at no cost to the school district. Over the past three years, FPL has provided clean energy instructional courses for more than 250 science teachers and provided them with a clean energy curriculum.

FPL will also participate in giving to communities in need:

FPL is partnering with local Habitat for Humanity chapters, the Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation and the Boynton Beach Community Development Corporation to install solar water heater systems, free of charge, for more than 400 homes being built or refurbished for families in need in 14 Florida counties.

“Through FPL’s programs, our homeowners become more successful in the homeownership program due to reduced electric costs on an ongoing basis. Without FPL, we would not be able to provide the high level of home energy sustainability that we have achieved in the past two years,” said Mike Campbell, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County, one of the non-profit organizations participating in the solar water heater program.

“Twenty-five Habitat families will see a decrease in their energy consumption because of FPL’s help. This translates into savings each and every month, and for a low-income family, that is a big deal,” said Andrew R. Bowler, president & CEO of the Indian River Habitat for Humanity, which is also participating in the solar water heater program.

Over the next year, FPL is partnering with affordable-housing non-profit organizations in the following counties: Brevard, Charlotte,Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Johns, and Volusia

Again, for those of you who are interested in applying for the rebates for solar water heaters and solar PV panels on your rooftops, head on over to www.FPL.com/solarrebates.