Subject:
Title
Duke Energy Florida Clean Energy Connection Program
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Request that the Board of County Commissioners provide authorization to the County Administrator to pursue the County’s enrollment into the Clean Energy Connection Program.Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where possible
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Summary:
Summary
Staff has completed an initial analysis for the subscription into the Clean Energy Connection program and will continue to run an analysis of overall program benefits, subscription size and financial implications. We will return to the Board at a later date with a Resolution outlining the County’s subscription plan.Body
Background Information:
Duke Energy Florida (DEF) has rolled out a new "community solar program," the Clean Energy Connection (CEC) Program, and is enrolling early subscribers while awaiting approval from the Public Service Commission. The CEC Program will enable qualified customers to participate in a solar program and directly fund the development of several utility-owned solar plants interconnected to the Duke power grid in Florida. Program subscribers will pay a flat monthly subscription fee and will receive monthly bill credits equal to the value of solar energy produced by their share in the program. Municipalities may apply through 5 p.m. ET August 31.
• Staff has completed an initial analysis for the subscription size based on our annual metered usage (68 MW), including personnel from County Administration, Office for Management and Budget, Office of Asset Management, and the Office of Administrative Services (Facilities and Real Property Division.
• No new contract with Duke is needed now, but we must make a commitment and apply with our desired subscription size.
• There is a monthly subscription fee; however, it is significantly offset by a credit applied to the monthly invoice.
• Fees will not be expended until 2022, when Duke will officially begin the program, and we can cancel at any time and only incur a one-month charge.
• We are expected to receive our return on investment in 5-7 years.
• The ROI over the thirty years of the program is estimated to be 125-30% of the program cost.
• To our knowledge, seven local municipalities will subscribe, and most will to go commission/council for approval.
• The Attorney’s office is currently evaluating the contractual nature and procurement implications of the subscription commitment.
More information can be found here: https://www.duke-energy.com/cec
Next Steps:
• Staff will continue to run an analysis of overall program benefits, subscription size and financial implications.
• We will return to the Board at a later date with a Resolution outlining the County’s subscription plan.
Fiscal Impact:
To be determined
Staff Member Responsible:
Hank Hodde, Sustainability and Resiliency Program Coordinator, County Administration
Partners:
Duke Energy Florida
Attachments:
Duke Clean Energy Connection Brochure