News Article
Inspired Programme Reaches 1st Milestone
Gainesville Regional Utilities achieves first year target for solar program
Days before Gainesville Regional Utilities officially launches its Solar FIT program, the unique initiative has already reached a significant milestone. GRU announced today that it has received completed applications to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that in total will be capable of producing approximately 4 megawatts of energy. That is GRU's first year target for the solar program.
"We are extremely excited about the popularity of the program. Obviously our efforts to stimulate the market and bring more solar projects to the community have been successful," said Bob Hunzinger, GRU General Manager.
GRU modeled the Solar FIT program after similar strategies that have been successful in Europe. The program, set for implementation on March 1, guarantees that the utility will buy all of the electricity produced by the PV system at a fixed rate for 20 years. GRU set the initial rate at $0.32 per kilowatt hour for electric customers who sign up during the first two years of the program.
Now that the utility has reached its target for 2009, Hunzinger said they will continue to accept and approve applications, in the order in which they are received, to fulfill the 2010 target of 4 megawatts. Construction of the PV systems is expected to be spread across the two-year period.
The rate of $0.32 per kilowatt hour will remain in effect for 2010. GRU will use market data to evaluate and set the rate for 2011.
"We are extremely excited about the popularity of the program. Obviously our efforts to stimulate the market and bring more solar projects to the community have been successful," said Bob Hunzinger, GRU General Manager.
GRU modeled the Solar FIT program after similar strategies that have been successful in Europe. The program, set for implementation on March 1, guarantees that the utility will buy all of the electricity produced by the PV system at a fixed rate for 20 years. GRU set the initial rate at $0.32 per kilowatt hour for electric customers who sign up during the first two years of the program.
Now that the utility has reached its target for 2009, Hunzinger said they will continue to accept and approve applications, in the order in which they are received, to fulfill the 2010 target of 4 megawatts. Construction of the PV systems is expected to be spread across the two-year period.
The rate of $0.32 per kilowatt hour will remain in effect for 2010. GRU will use market data to evaluate and set the rate for 2011.
