Trader Energy

STATES WITH DEREGULATED ENERGY MARKET POLICIES

SOLAR INTEGRATION

Two ways to ensure continuous electricity regardless of the weather or an unforeseen event are by using DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES (DER) and MICROGRIDS. DER produce and supply electricity on a small scale and are spread out over a wide area. While traditional generators are connected to the high-voltage transmission grid, DER are connected to the lower-voltage distribution grid, like residences and businesses are.

Another way DER and microgrids can contribute to grid stability is by aiding “BLACK START” processes, which turn power on after it has gone down. DER could become a valuable black start resource by allowing communities with microgrids to begin start-up processes on their own and provide the capacity required to start up larger generators.

DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES (DER)

Solar DER can be built at different scales—even one small solar panel can provide energy. In fact, about one-third of solar energy in the United States is produced by small-scale solar, such as rooftop installations. Household solar installations are called behind-the-meter solar; the meter measures how much electricity a consumer buys from a utility. Since distributed solar is “behind” the meter, customers do not pay the utility for the solar power generated.

The cost of owning DER varies from state to state and among utility companies. One way the electric bill is determined is through net metering, where utilities calculate the total power generated by the customer’s solar system and subtract it from the total power the customer consumes. Customers are credited for the amount of power they supply to the grid.

ISLANDS & MICROGRIDS

Distribution grids are vulnerable to outages that can affect large regions and millions of people and businesses, particularly as a consequence of extreme, destructive weather events. When parts of the grid are equipped with DER, they can continue serving other loads on the same distribution network, meeting local needs with local generation. This is called islanding. Electrical systems that can disconnect from the larger grid, engaging in intentional islanding, are often called microgrids.

Microgrids vary in size from a single-customer microgrid to a full-substation microgrid, which may include hundreds of individual generators and consumers of power. DER make microgrids a more widespread option, because the means of energy production are now more easily obtained and sited in neighborhoods. Community-scale microgrids may provide resiliency and backup during and after disasters like hurricanes.

BLACK START

Another way DER and microgrids can contribute to grid stability is by aiding “black start” processes, which turn power on after it has gone down. During a widespread electrical failure, electrical generators can be put offline. To come back online, many electrical generators require an external battery to start, just like a car engine does.

DER could become a valuable black start resource by allowing communities with microgrids to begin start-up processes on their own and provide the capacity required to start up larger generators.

SOLAR INCENTIVES AVALILABLE IN FLORIDA

SOLAR TAX CREDITS (26%)

When people refer to the "Florida solar tax credit", they actually mean the 26% solar tax credit, known formally as the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). 

This is actually a federal incentive available in all 50 states. It allows tax-paying homeowners to claim 26% of their solar system’s cost as a deduction on their income taxes. In other words, the federal tax credit offers you a 26% discount on your solar system. If your tax liability is less than 26% of your solar system’s cost, you can roll the remaining balance over to the next period for up to 10 years.

NET METERING

Net Metering Policies can assist states in meeting their Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) or targets since a number of states have specific requirements for distributed generation. While a majority of states and territories have authorized net metering, they have taken differing approaches to policies with variations in capacity limits, eligible technology, net metering credit retention and Renewable Energy Credit (REC) ownership

Net Metering System Types

• Conventional Net Metering, sometimes referred to as individual net metering, connects a generating source to single meter, such as a house or building. The recent expansion of net metering policies allows generating sources to be connected to multiple meters or multiple properties.
• Aggregate Net Metering and Virtual or Community Net Metering have authorized net metering for new customer types, including non-profits, multi-unit residences, multi-property owners, renters, municipalities and others who cannot install distributed generation. Under conventional net metering, these customer types could not have benefitted from net metering.

PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (PACE PROGRAM)

The state of Florida allows for localities to offer loans which are paid for through a property tax increase to your local government. 

PACE loans can finance not just solar systems, but most energy efficiency upgrades, as well. The benefit of PACE is that you can start saving money on your utility bills from Day 1, and if you choose to move,  you can pass the remaining balance on the loan to the next property owner.