Kenneth P. Ksionek Community Solar Farm at Stanton Energy Center

With OUCommunity Solar, you decide how much clean energy you want to use and, beginning this summer, pay 25% less for it.

OUCommunity Solar affords customers the convenience of accessing solar energy without owning a photovoltaic system, so there are no upfront costs to subscribers. It’s the perfect clean-energy solution for renters and customers living in densely shaded areas, or anyone who wants to reduce their carbon footprint and help fight climate change.

OUC solar farms provide subscribers electricity based on the percentage they want to use, up to 100%. Assuming final approval by the Florida Public Service Commission, OUC will lower the kilowatt hour rate from 6 cents to 4.5 cents on July 1, 2021. The lower rate would save about $180 per year for a community solar customer using 12,000 kWh annually.

“As the price of solar comes down we want to pass the savings along to customers,” said Mindy Brenay, Chief Financial Officer.

Approved by OUC’s Board, the planned rate cut comes on the heels of announced plans to dramatically increase OUC’s utility-scale solar capacity with the addition of two 74.5-megawatt (MW) solar farms scheduled to open in 2023. By then, OUC expects to generate 271.5 MW of solar energy; that’s enough power for nearly 50,000 homes.

The rate reduction also launches new efforts to increase enrollment in OUCommunity Solar as OUC strives to meet its CO2 emissions reduction goals over the next 30 years, reaching Net Zero by 2050. OUC will partner with the City of Orlando on an initiative to boost business participation in the program, and some of the larger businesses will be invited to take the “2030 Solar Pledge,” a commitment to use 100% solar energy by 2030.

OUCommunity Solar offers subscribers a few perks, including free membership in The Bright Bunch. It’s a network of loyal members who are dedicated to expanding solar in our community. Benefits include invitations to exclusive events, a quarterly newsletter and special Bright Bunch subscriber yard signs.

Click here to join the renewable energy revolution as an OUCommunity Solar subscriber.