FPL To Pilot Community-Funded Solar Power Plants

[jpak]

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/04/fpl-community-solar-power-plants/

In a recent announcement, Florida Power & Light has announced a new solar power option that may soon be available to its customers in The Sunshine State. In consideration at the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is FPL’s proposal for a voluntary, community-based, solar partnership pilot. If approved, FPL will install new solar-powered facilities in Florida communities.

The pilot will be funded with voluntary contributions from customers. The FPL customers who choose to take part will give $9 a month. This is so little for changing our future to one based on renewable, clean resources. The customers who do not take part will not see increased bills.

“As the leader in providing the most solar power in the Sunshine State, FPL has long been committed to planning for Florida’s clean-energy future, and we, along with our customers, believe solar should play an increasing role in Florida’s energy mix,” said Eric Silagy, president of FPL. “For customers who care deeply about advancing clean energy – including those who may not have the ability or desire to install their own solar systems – we are proposing to create a voluntary, community-based partnership that is designed to help grow solar in Florida without costing a penny for those who choose not to participate.”

With contributions of $9 a month, the aim is for FPL customers to fund the construction of 25 commercial-scale, distributed solar arrays totaling 110 megawatts. So, for those of us who have not yet put solar on our own roofs or cannot do so, we still can help advance the solar energy revolution.

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[djean111]

1. No matter how I look at this, it looks to me like customers will be paying FPL $9 a month so FPL

does not have to pay for their own commercial solar arrays. Much like paying Duke Energy to think about building new nuclear plants.
Is FPL just socializing the expense of building commercial solar arrays? And dressing that up as well, if you love green energy, you will relieve us of the cost of switching to solar?
Or am I just too cynical because I live in Florida, and cannot imagine a power utility doing anything that would cut a nickel out of their profits?