Solar

 

About Community Solar

Are you considering solar energy for your home or business? Kissimmee Utility Authority has joined with 11 other Florida municipal electric utilities to form the Florida Municipal Solar Project, a large-scale community solar energy project that will enable us to provide renewable energy to our customers.

Many households and businesses in Kissimmee do not have access to solar because they rent, live in multi-tenant buildings, have roofs that are unable to host a solar system or experience some other mitigating factor. KUA’s community solar option provides homeowners, renters and businesses equal access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy generation, regardless of the physical attributes or ownership of their home or business. Community solar expands access to solar for all.

Designed to generate 223.5-megawatts of solar energy, this project is one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the United States. As part of the project, approximately 900,000 solar panels were built on three solar farms in Osceola and Orange counties.Combined, the three solar sites total approximately 1,200 acres, or the equivalent of 900 football fields filled with solar panels.

Additional solar capacity is expected to be operational by 2023.

 

Join the Program

To subscribe to Community Solar, please complete this online form.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Community Solar

 

What is Community Solar?
KUA’s community solar option provides homeowners, renters and businesses access to the economic and environmental benefits of large-scale solar energy generation, regardless of the physical attributes or ownership of their home or business. KUA’s Community solar significantly expands access to solar energy for our customers.

Who is eligible for the Community Solar Program?
Any Kissimmee Utility Customer without an open or active payment arrangement is eligible.

Can I enroll in Community Solar at any time?
Yes, as long as there is solar capacity available. The program is first-come, first-served. If the program is fully subscribed, customers will be placed on the KUA Community Solar program waiting list. Additionally, more solar capacity is expected to be operational by 2023.

Do I have to install any equipment on my home when I enroll in the program?
No

Once I sign up, how long will it take for the change to be reflected on my bill?
The change will be reflected on your next bill

Is there an upfront or monthly cost to sign up for Community Solar?
No

How will Community Solar impact my bill?
Subscribing to Community Solar can reduce or increase your monthly bill. This will primarily depend on the cost to produce non-solar power through our traditional power plants fueled by natural gas. The Community Solar Surcharge is calculated each month and maybe a credit or debit on your account. Generally speaking, the more natural gas rates increase, the more likely you are to see a Community Solar Surcharge credit on your bill.

How long are the Community Solar rates locked in for and can they fluctuate?
Community Solar rates are locked in for 20 years at a rate not expected to exceed $.04 per kWh. However, your Community Solar surcharge will vary based on the cost to generate power through our traditional plants using primarily natural gas.

Can I be enrolled in Community Solar and have traditional power at the same time?
Yes, customers have the ability to select what percentage of their monthly kWh consumption will be designated as solar energy, (25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%)

How do I know if Community Solar is the best option for me?
If you are interested in using clean, green, renewable energy for your power needs without the hassle of installing and maintaining your own Solar Panels then Community Solar may be right for you.

Once I sign up for Community Solar, can I cancel at any time?
Yes, however, customers will not be allowed to return to the program for a minimum of one (1) year and only if solar capacity is available.

If I move, do I have to enroll in the program again?
Yes, if you change your address you will need to re-enroll your new address in the Community Solar program. 

If equipment on the solar farm is damaged by weather, how does that impact my bill?
Maintenance and repair of the solar farm(s) are the responsibility of the 11 members of the Florida Municipal Solar Project so there would be no impact to your monthly bill should damage occur.

Do Community Solar customers still experience power outages?
Since most power outages occur in the distribution network even customers on Community Solar may still experience power outages.

After I enroll in Community Solar, will my printed bill/e-bill look different?
You will see a Community Solar Surcharge line Item which could be either a credit or debit on your monthly bill.


Once I submit the online form to enroll, how will I know if I was accepted into the program?
You will receive an email providing more information on the program and you will have seven days to let us know if you are interested in subscribing.

 

Considering Community Solar for your home?

Watch this video for a brief summary of how the program works.

 

About PV Solar

There are 2 types of solar. Thermal Solar & Photovoltaic Solar (PV). Thermal solar uses the sun’s energy to generate heat. Photovoltaic Solar (PV) uses the sun’s energy to generate electricity.

KUA highly encourages our customers who are interested in installing PV solar systems to schedule a KUA free home solar energy audit, prior to purchasing a system. Our home solar energy audit is designed to educate our customers about the facts and the myths regarding PV solar and will provide you with tools that will be beneficial when shopping for a PV solar system.

Every home is different. There are many factors to consider when calculating the value of installing PV solar. We find that customers who are primarily home during the day tend to benefit more from installing PV solar. Our free home solar energy audit will explain how to calculate energy savings to help determine the overall value of installing a PV solar system.

Considering Pv Solar for your home?

Here are a series of videos to answer the most commonly-asked questions about rooftop solar.

Frequently Asked Questions about PV Solar