OUC's Solar Programs
OUC has two environmentally friendly solar programs: A Solar Photovoltaic (PV) program which generates electricity and a Solar Thermal program which generates heat for domestic water heating systems.
How the programs work
The customer installs a Solar PV, Solar Thermal or both systems on his or her home, and signs an agreement allowing OUC to retain the rights to the environmental benefits or attributes. In exchange, OUC will provide a monthly production credit on the customer's utility bill for the energy the systems produce. Any excess electricity generated by the PV systems back to OUC’s electric grid will be credited at the full applicable standard retail rate.
The Solar PV systems will be metered in kilowatt-hours (kwh). The Solar Thermal systems will be metered in British Thermal Units (BTU's) and converted to kwh. For reference, an average 2 kilowatt solar PV system and a typical residential solar thermal system will each produce about 2,800 kilowatt-hours a year. The customer not only saves on his normal electric consumption but also receives a monthly credit for the kwh production of the solar systems. The monthly production credit is $0.03 and $0.05 for each equivalent kwh produced for solar thermal and PV systems respectively.
Low interest loans
For residential customers, OUC has partnered with Orlando Federal Credit Union to provide low interest loan options for solar installations and help keep the net monthly cost low for our customers.
Additionally, there are federal tax credits available to help minimize the cost.
How do I sign up?
Download the Solar Information Packets, which contain a step-by-step customer checklist, loan information for residential customers, federal tax credit information, a list of solar contractors and the solar service and interconnection agreements.
Residential Solar Information Packet [PDF]
Commercial Solar Information Packet [PDF]
Solar Energy Guide [PDF]
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the OUC solar programs, please contact Conservation Support via e-mail: green@ouc.com.
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Orange County Convention Center, OUC Flip Switch on Giant Solar Array
1-Megawatt Rooftop Array is largest of its kind in the Southeast U.S.
Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty joined Florida StateSen. Lee Constantine, OUC - The Reliable One Board President Katie Porta, U.S. Department of Energy's John Lushetsky and Orange County Convention Center's Jerry Daigle at the Orange County Convention Center in late May 2009 to flip the switch on the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the Southeast United States. The one-megawatt rooftop array was the result of a partnership between Orange County and OUC that was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the State of Florida to install the landmark project. The completion of the solar installation, which the DOE has named a Solar America Showcase, was celebrated during the general session of the Green Cities Florida 2009 conference at the Center.
"I want this project to show the world that Orange County embraces green technology,” Mayor Crotty said. "We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint while recruiting ‘clean tech' companies that will help the world go green.”
In addition to the grant, OUC contributed $1.5 million to the project and will receive 10 years worth of Renewable Energy Credits in that amount.
"OUC is committed to investing in renewable energy,” Porta said, "and it is collaborations like the one we see here today that will benefit not only our customers but also our Central Florida community for generations to come.”
The PV system, which utilizes high-efficiency, flat-plate collectors, covers about 200,000-square feet of the Convention Center's North/South building and will generate 1,300 to 1,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year, the equivalent to the power used by 80 to 100 typical homes, and it will do so without producing any greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of generating electricity with solar energy include reducing energy costs, global warming and dependence on foreign fuels.
"The Center is delighted to be awarded this grant to help expand our green initiatives,” Daigle said. "Over the past three years, our operations personnel have successfully implemented several energy conservation measures; this solar PV project will take us to the next level in energy management, and it is a major step in making our facilities green.”
This $8.8 million multi-purpose project also features a Climate-Change Education Center (CCEC) inside the Convention Center to promote the many environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable-energy technologies. Before the flipping of the switch event, Crotty and Porta celebrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the CCEC, which is sponsored by Orange County and OUC.
The OCCC has become an industry leader in environmental best practices, beginning in early 2007 when it became the first convention center in the U.S. to become ISO 14001 Certified for its recycling program.
Other green projects at the Center include purchasing recycled products, using reclaimed water for landscaping irrigation, installing Xeriscape plantings and using Green-Seal certified cleaning products to name a few. In addition to its facility-related green initiatives, the OCCC works closely with event organizers to support their efforts for green events, shows and meetings.
OUC is dedicated to promoting energy and water conservation, alternative and renewable resources, and sustainable building solutions in Central Florida. In fact, OUC's new administration and customer service center is the Greenest Building in Downtown Orlando and boasts both solar PV and solar thermal rooftop arrays. Designed to meet the requirements for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification, Reliable Plaza features rain water collection for irrigation, efficient lighting and water fixtures, high efficiency windows and recycled materials.
About the Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest convention facility in the country. Each year, the OCCC brings more than 250 events to the Central Florida area. As a result, roughly 1.4 million attendees contribute approximately $1.9 billion to the area's economic impact annually. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit our Web site at www.occc.net.
OUC, Petra Solar Launch Landmark Solar Demonstration Project
OUC installs 10 of Petra Solar’s SunWave™ intelligent photovoltaic solar systems on utility poles along Curry Ford Road.
OUC—The ReliableOne and clean energy company Petra Solar announced in Sept 2009 that they have teamed up to launch the first utility pole-mounted solar photovoltaic system in Florida.
Ten of Petra Solar’s SunWave™ intelligent photovoltaic solar systems are being installed on OUC utility poles along Curry Ford Road. Together the panels can generate up to 2 kilowatts, about enough to power a small home.
“Through projects like this, OUC continues to investigate and evaluate various alternative power sources that can help us continue to deliver reliable, affordable and clean electricity to our customers,” said Byron Knibbs, Vice President of Sustainable Services for OUC, which provides electric and water services to more than 251,000 customers.
The innovative solar panel demonstration project is expected to help enhance the Smart Grid capabilities and reliability of the electric distribution grid.
Dr. Shihab Kuran, CEO and President of Petra Solar, noted that Petra Solar worked in collaboration with the University of Central Florida in developing the pole-mounted approach to clean energy generation.
“We are pleased to realize the fruits of the research in this commercial endeavor, which will not only provide power to our customers but also enhance the functioning of the power grid,” Dr. Kuran said. “Our SunWave systems not only turn street light and utility poles into solar generators, they also communicate with the electric grid and can offer smart grid capabilities. The systems can improve grid reliability through real-time communications between solar generators in the field and the utility control center. In addition, our systems enhance electric distribution grid reliability through a host of capabilities such as voltage and frequency monitoring and reactive power compensation.”
Earlier that month, Petra Solar began shipping its SunWave systems in the largest solar PV project under construction in the world. PSE&G, New Jersey’s largest utility, recently received approval from New Jersey regulators for its Solar 4 All Program. PSE&G and Petra Solar entered into a contract, valued at $200 million, which requires Petra Solar to deliver about 200,000 SunWave units for installation by PSE&G.
The pole-mounted solar PV system is just one of several clean energy initiatives being undertaken by the OUC. This past spring OUC and Orange County flipped the switch on the largest rooftop solar array in the Southeast, a one megawatt installation atop the Orange County Convention Center. OUC also offers solar PV and thermal programs that help lower the upfront costs of solar for residential and commercial customers.