Sunshine Energy - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sunshine Energy — FPL's green pricing program?
Sunshine Energy is a voluntary, renewable energy program that promotes cleaner sources of energy that are less polluting than the traditional fuel sources most widely used to make electricity in the U.S. Choosing Sunshine Energy is an easy and affordable way to offset your carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while supporting energy diversity, independence and sustainability.
Isn’t FPL Group already a clean energy company?
Yes. In fact, FPL’s power generation mix is cleaner in terms of air emissions than most utilities’ power in most states. FPL Energy, an FPL Group company, is a leading unregulated wholesale generator of clean energy, including natural gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric. It is the world leader in wind energy.
Who should sign up for FPL’s green pricing alternative?
Customers who choose to sign up for FPL’s new green pricing program want to make a difference by helping to sustain our environment for future generations. Sunshine Energy is for:
- Businesses committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
- Event organizers who prefer that their events become "carbon neutral" by offsetting regular electricity use and other contributing CO2 factors, such as driving, with renewable energy.
- Businesses seeking LEED certification with U.S. Green Building Council.
What does the additional cost pay for?
The charge covers the cost to secure renewable resources for the program, as well as nominal administrative costs to operate the program. Additionally, a portion of the monthly cost will also be used to support the development of renewable resources nationwide -- and new solar generation in Florida.
What do you mean by signing up for a 1,000 kWh block of electricity?
Your business has the option of purchasing fixed increments (blocks) of 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of 100% Green-e® certified renewable energy from bioenergy and wind for only $9.75 more per month per block. You’ll continue to pay your regular kWh electricity usage each month, just as you always have.
FPL offers Sunshine Energy in a block purchase to help businesses control costs, while providing them with an opportunity to reduce their share of CO2 emissions. Regardless of your company’s actual usage, your purchase of cleaner electricity will be set to a fixed number of 1,000 kWh blocks per month. This ensures that customers pay the same cost for the environmental benefits of cleaner electricity each month, as well as prevent the same amount of emissions each month.
Where are the solar facilities being developed?
Thanks to Sunshine Energy customers, solar facilities have been built in Naples, Merritt Island, Miami and Palm City. In fact, the largest solar electric facility (250KW) in the state was built at Rothenbach Park in Sarasota County. Plus, there are more solar projects in progress across the state of Florida.
Will this program utilize tradable renewable energy credits?
Yes. When customers choose electricity under this program, they will cause 1,000 kwh of electricity each month to be generated on their behalf from cleaner resources, such as bioenergy and wind. Customers help keep the cleaner generators operating and help create demand for new clean generation facilities to be built in the future. This certification also ensures that a certain amount of carbon dioxide emissions will be avoided each year in the regions where the cleaner electricity was generated.
Can residential customers sign up for a green power alternative?
Yes, more than 38,000 residential customers already participate in the Sunshine Energy program.
Can I cancel my participation in the program at any time?
Yes. You can cancel the program at any time simply by
What will my bill look like once I choose Sunshine Energy?
Your bill will not change, except that there will be a line item showing your monthly charge for Sunshine Energy.
Will I get a tax break if I sign up for this program?
No. The program is not tax deductible. The $9.75 monthly charge per block goes towards the purchase of new renewable resources for the programs and administrative costs to operate the program.
Why should I care about choosing a cleaner electricity option?
Choosing Sunshine Energy is an easy and affordable way to offset your carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while supporting energy diversity, independence and sustainability. Nationally, generating electricity to meet the energy demands of American businesses and residents uses limited fossil fuels and causes billions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions. You’re also helping to grow the market for renewable resources in Florida.
Will choosing Sunshine Energy affect the reliability of my electricity service?
No. Your service reliability is not affected by the particular generation resources you are supporting. Your electricity service at your business will not change.
So, if cleaner electricity doesn’t come directly to my business, what am I buying?
With Sunshine Energy, rest assured your business is helping to build cleaner sources of energy. When you enroll, you are displacing other nonrenewable sources from the regional or national electric grid. Renewable electricity has lower or zero air emissions and supports environmental benefits to the regions where the cleaner electricity is generated.
What is bioenergy?
In addition to the sun and wind, scientists and engineers have found ways to make electricity from a number of other renewable resources. Bioenergy, for example, is cleaner energy generated from organic resources and energy crops or the natural decomposition of organic materials. These resources are renewable because they are virtually infinite and/or replenish themselves in short periods of time. Bioenergy is one of the most promising forms of renewable energy for Florida and the Southeast, where wind, hydro, and geothermal energy potential is limited by geography.
If I sign up, will I really be helping the environment?
Yes! One of the most important things you can do to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to choose Sunshine Energy from FPL. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, purchasing a fixed increment (block) of 1,000 kWh every month each year can annually prevent nearly 17,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions nationwide, which is as much as a car would produce in nearly 20,000 miles of driving.
What is LEED Certification?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is an energy efficiency building certification program from the U.S. Green Building Council. Businesses can earn points toward different levels of LEED certification by purchasing renewable energy, installing energy efficient upgrades, and more. Learn more by visiting www.usgbc.org.
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