According to a recent article in the Sun Sentinel, Florida Power and Light is raising its prices effective January 1, 2022. Your electricity bill will increase on average to just under $20 a month if you use about 1000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power every month. How to prevent this from happening?  Install Solar in Your Home or Business to Avoid FPL Rate Increases.

The 2021 rate for 1000 kWh was $101.70. It will increase to about $120.67 with the fuel adjustment charges for natural gas that fuels the FPL generator plants. According to a South Florida Sun Sentinel analysis of financial data provided by public utilities to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, most FPL customers use more than 1,000 kWh a month. The data showed that households on average consumed 1,169 kWh in 2020 and paid about $122.70 to the FPL. Add at least another $20 to that monthly amount for 2022!

Fossil Fuels Are Not Sustainable

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, and the generator plants have emissions. The price for this product that fuels the FPL sites has increased from $3.25 for British Thermal Units (BTU) in early 2021 to $5.05 per BTU in November 2021. All fossil fuel prices have increased as witnessed at the gas pump!

The FPL has approved rate increases for the past three months based on power usage. This is part of the utility’s four-year rate plan increase based on continuous dependence on fossil fuels. Solar energy accounts for only five percent of the fuel used for energy in Florida. FPL plans to install 30 million solar panels to account for 20 percent of its energy use by 2030, according to Christopher McGrath, a FPL spokesperson.

According to Natalia Brown of Catalyst Miami, “Electric utilities know that fossil fuel infrastructure is uneconomical and wholly unsustainable. FPL’s leadership makes conscious decisions to prioritize fuel sources that allow for their business model to accumulate decision-making power and profit, rather than embracing the readily available and beneficial alternatives that renewable energy sources represent for their customer base,” 

Ms. Brown is the climate adjustment program manager for this consumer advocacy group. This is one of several groups that supports solar power over fossil fuels.

Home Solar Systems Offer Freedom from Utilities

Why wait until FPL installs its own solar systems? Install solar panels in your home and save on your electrical bill. Your solar power will be directed to your nearest generator plant, and you will receive credit for electrical use. In some cases, you can be completely “off the grid” without reliance on a power company.

Most people who use solar contribute to the power company and pay only for what they need when the sun does not shine. If they have their own storage batteries, they are protected in the event of power blackouts. The storage battery system will save power for you to use when the public utility goes down. This can happen during stormy weather.

How Solar Works

The sun sends photons to your panels designed with photovoltaic cells. The panels can be on your roof or at another part of your property close by. The energy from the electrons is DC or direct current. An inverter changes the power to AC or alternating current to power your lights and appliances. Excess power can be stored in a battery system, or it is sent to the utility company. You receive a credit for every kWh of power you contribute to the grid. 

There are several financial programs available to help with the cost of solar installation. In the long run, it will provide major savings to people living in the Sunshine State. You will also eliminate dependence on fossil fuels.

There are various brands of solar panels, power inverters, and storage batteries. The number of panels varies and will be based on your past electrical use and consumption. 

Contact us at Go Solar Power for more information on solar power installations for your home or commercial buildings. Solar panels can provide the power necessary for most business parks, apartment communities, and other businesses. We will help you decide how many solar panels you require and their best placement. Remember, the sun is free and sustainable for the next few billion years.