Thank you for your interest in Orlando Utilities Commission’s Solar Programs. OUC has two solar programs: A Solar Photovoltaic (PV) program and a Solar Thermal program. A Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system generates electricity, and a Solar Thermal system generates heat for domestic water heating systems.
OUC provides all residential customers who install a solar photovoltaic system with the benefit of net metering. The term net metering means that you receive a credit at your current retail electric rate for any excess energy your system produces and feeds back to the utility. OUC also offers its residential customers a $0.05/KWH production incentive on all of the energy that your solar photovoltaic system produces (whether you use it on site or send it back to the utility grid). In order to provide these credits, OUC installs an additional electric meter on your home that records all of the energy production from your solar system. Residential customers also can take advantage of low interest loans through the Orlando Federal Credit Union.
OUC offers residential electric customers a Point of Sale rebate of $1,000 that your contractor will provide at the time you purchase your solar hot water system. Pool heating systems are not included in the program. Through a partnership with the Orlando Federal Credit Union (OFCU), OUC also offers an option to finance your solar hot water system for as low as 0 percent over 36 months. Customers who choose to finance through this special program receive a Point of Sale rebate of $550 in addition to OUC’s interest rate buydown on the loan. All participants must use an OUC Preferred Contractor.
The customer installs a Solar PV system on his or her home using a certified solar contractor, 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 utility bill for the energy the systems produce. Additionally, for PV systems, any excess electricity that is generated and not used by the customer is sent back to OUC’s electric grid for which the customer will be credited at the full applicable standard retail rate this is also know as net metering.
The customer installs a Solar Thermal system on his or her home using an OUC Preferred Solar Contactor. The OUC Preferred Solar Contractor provides the customer with the OUC Solar Thermal rebate at the point-of-sale, and submits an application to OUC for reimbursement.
For reference, an average 2 kilowatt solar PV system and a typical residential solar thermal 40 square foot collector system will each produce about 2,700 kWh a year.
OUC verification of all Solar PV and Thermal systems is required for participation in OUC’s solar programs.
OUC has also partnered with Orlando Federal Credit Union to provide low interest loan options for solar installations to help keep the net monthly cost low for our residential customers. Additionally, there are federal tax credits available to help minimize the cost.
For more information, view our Solar Guide.
To become a Solar Preferred Contractor, please contact pcn@ouc.com or to learn more visit the Preferred Contractor Network (PCN).
Mailing Address:
OUC Renewables Department PO Box 3193 Orlando, FL 32802