Power Up with Tallahassee Solar

Creation of a Customer Participation Program Underway

May 10, 2017

The creation of a Customer Participation Program for Tallahassee Solar, the City of Tallahassee's new solar program, is in the final stages. At today's City Commission meeting, Commissioners approved the date in which to gather additional public input. At the May 24 commission meeting, citizens will have an opportunity to provide feedback on this residential and commercial utility program designed to provide customers with access to energy produced by the new, 20 megawatt (MW) solar farm. Construction of the solar farm is set to begin later this month on Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) property.

"Our solar program is unique in that it provides customers with the option to use solar power without the up-front costs of installing solar panels on their home or business, which can be cost prohibitive," City Commissioner Nancy Miller said. "By participating in Tallahassee Solar, customers will likely see their energy bill lower over time, and they'll be helping preserve our community's natural resources for generations to come."

Crafted with input from the Utility Citizens Advisory Committee and Sustainable Tallahassee, the program will allow residential, small- and medium-sized commercial customers to subscribe for all or a portion of their monthly kilowatt (kWh) electricity consumption to be powered by solar. Customers can opt for one of three participation levels: 25, 50 and 100 percent.

To allow a variety of customers to participate in Tallahassee Solar, the City's largest electric customers will also be eligible. In lieu of percentage options, these commercial customers will be required to specify a fixed number of monthly kilowatt hours that will be designated as solar.

Customers who choose to purchase solar energy will pay 5 cents per kWh; this rate will remain fixed for the next 20 years. The rate for solar energy is only slightly higher than the current electricity rate of 3.290 cents per kWh. This rate, which fluctuates with the market price, is powered almost exclusively with natural gas. Over the last 15 years, market prices for natural gas powered electricity have been as high as 9 cents per kWh. By subscribing to Tallahassee Solar, customers lock in their fixed rate.

Another benefit of the program is that subscriptions are portable, as long as the customers' new location is served by the City of Tallahassee. Additionally, customers can exit the program at any time without penalty.

Customers who are interested in Tallahassee Solar are encouraged to visit Talgov.com/Solar and sign up to receive ongoing information about this program, including subscription opportunities once they are available.

Tallahassee's first solar farm is expected to be completed in the fall. Once complete, it will be one of the largest solar farms in the Sunshine State, capable of producing enough solar energy to power 3,400 homes and businesses in the Capital City. Planning is currently underway for a second, 40 (MW) megawatt solar farm. The completion of both solar farms will ultimately produce more than 30 times the amount of solar energy being produced in Tallahassee today.

For more information, please visit Talgov.com/Solar or call 891-4968.



Contact Information

Alison Faris, Department of Communications, 891-8533