J U LY
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2021
SECONEWS Dear Members,
generator backup still consume (and pay for) utility-supplied power when the sun isn’t shining – at night, rainy afternoons and cold winter mornings. 466903
Solar system inquiries from members are on the rise. Currently, nearly 2,600 SECO Energy If allowable by city/county ordinance, members have chosen to members can go completely off-grid if the invest in member-owned system has a battery to store power generated solar systems. SECO while the sun is shining to use during times is a reliable source when the sun doesn’t shine. During utility of information about outages, solar systems without a backup power solar power for our members, source do not continue to but unfortunately, we hear generate power as most RECENTLY, from members who’ve been inverters require electricity misinformed by a contractor to operate. By design, this MEMBERS or misunderstood the solar requirement prevents power REPORTED SOLAR system’s generation capabilities generated by a solar system and the financial investment. from backfeeding onto the REPRESENTATIVES utility’s electric system – CLAIMING THEY Some solar contractors use which in turn can cause ARE WORKING ON misleading sales pitches – damage, injury or death to we’ve seen the ads: No-cost unsuspecting lineworkers. BEHALF OF SECO – solar. No electric bill. Free THIS IS UNTRUE. solar panels. Power during If you’re interested in solar, an outage. Without question, SECO is here to help. We investing in solar technology is costly. At an recommend obtaining three quotes from average of $2.73 per watt (per the NREL and reputable contractors. Review Better Business dependent on the type of system), a 10-kW Bureau ratings and visit the Florida Solar residential system costs $27,300.00 (offset Energy Industries Association at flaseia.org by a current federal tax credit). If you finance for contractor recommendations. the system, you will pay interest over the term of the loan. If you lease a system, the leasing company receives the federal tax credit rather Continued on page 2 than you. Before investing, crunch the numbers on pvwatts.nrel.gov to estimate potential INSIDE THIS ISSUE generation capacity and financial performance. • Pennies Change Lives
Cost, however, is only one consideration. The Sunshine State is not always sunny. Members who own a solar system without battery or
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