Net Metering is a program that allows customers to interconnect approved renewable generation systems to the electric grid and provide electricity to their residence or facility, thus avoiding purchasing that energy from their electric utility company. With FPL’s Net Metering agreement, when a customer’s system produces excess energy (but less than supplied by FPL), that amount is subtracted from the customer’s monthly usage before they are billed. If the customer produces more electricity than they receive, the excess amounts are applied to the customer’s next month’s electric bill. At the end of each calendar year, any kWH remaining in your bank will be credited to your account at the annual average cost of generation.
Once an approved system is installed and a Net Metering Application, a Net Metering Agreement and an approved building permit are received and accepted by FPL, a special billing meter is installed that can measure both the quantity and the direction that the electricity is flowing. Note: Tier 2, (10 to 100 kW) and Tier 3 (100 kW to 2 Mw) systems also require proof of liability insurance and an application fee.
The energy your system makes is first used by your home or business. When your renewable generation system is making more electricity than you are using at the time, the excess electricity is recorded by the meter as it flows back into the FPL grid.
The kWh remaining for future use is the amount of electricity your system has made to-date this year in excess of the amount you have received from FPL. It is shown on your bill as "kWh remaining." If the number is greater than zero, it equals the "renewable energy you delivered" to the grid, minus the "number of kWh received from FPL."
If you are using more electricity than your system is making, the supplemental energy you receive from FPL is recorded as it flows into your home.
You will receive a bill that is similar to your normal electric bill. The difference is that the bill will be lower than your bill would have been without net metering because all or a portion of the electricity your system makes will be consumed by you and not provided or billed by FPL. In addition, any extra electricity your system makes will be subtracted from the amount FPL provided you before your bill is calculated. If you made more extra electricity than you needed from FPL, the amount will be placed in your energy bank and used to offset future electricity you get from FPL. If you have a balance at the end of the year, a cash credit will be applied to your January bill.
Using PVWATTS1 Solar Calculator, a well-designed and maintained photovoltaic (PV) system in the state of Florida should create between 1,300 and 1,600 kwh per year for each kW installed.
For example, a 5 kW system should create between 6,500 and 8,000 kwh per year.
There are many variables involved. FPL recommends you do some independent research and shop around to find the value combination that's right for you.
Your electric bill does not show all of the energy your system produced. The energy you produce that is consumed by your home does not pass through the FPL meter. For this reason, only your inverter shows the amount of electricity your system produced.
The amount of energy sent to the grid is stated toward the bottom of your bill in a line that says “Your kwh usage reflects XX of renewable energy you delivered.”
The “kwh remaining for future use is the amount of electricity your system has made to-date this year in excess of the amount you have received from FPL that has not been used to-date to offset your usage from FPL.
The requirements to sign up for Net Metering depend upon the size of your system. We have three tiers based on the size of the system, which are defined below. Note that all tier sizes referred to below are the AC Gross Power Rating. This equals the DC rating of your solar array times 0.85.
For copies of the application and agreement for each tier, please click on the links above.
The energy you produce and consume offsets the energy you would normally purchase from FPL and it is valued at the amount you would pay for your next kwh. The cost varies with individual usage patterns and you should refer to your previous electric bills to determine the appropriate value. If you produce enough electricity that you have a surplus at the end of the year, FPL will apply a credit to your January bill based on the average annual cost of generation.
Please see the COG – 1 rate for additional information
Go to www.dsireusa.org for links to state and federal renewable-energy programs.
Previous interconnection agreements were cancelled upon the implementation of the current standard interconnection agreement. All existing interconnection customers of record at that time should execute a new agreement with FPL. Download the agreements. We do not require a new application fee for existing customers that submit a new agreement for an existing system that has not been modified.
If you have further questions, please e-mail us at NWFLNetMetering@NEE.com. If you would prefer to speak to a net metering representative you can contact us at (877) 655-4001.
Tier 2 and tier 3 renewable generation systems require a manual disconnect switch of the visible load break type to provide a separation point between the AC power output of the customer-owned renewable generation and any customer wiring connected to FPL’s system. The manual disconnect switch shall be mounted separate from, but adjacent to, the FPL meter socket. The customer shall ensure that such manual disconnect switch shall remain readily accessible to FPL at all times and be capable of being locked in the open position with a single FPL utility padlock.