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Sunshine Energy FAQsWhat is Sunshine Energy — FPL's green pricing program?The principle behind the Sunshine Energy program from FPL is to provide choices for electricity consumers. Now FPL customers can choose energy from renewable sources, such as bioenergy, wind and solar. These environmentally preferred sources of power are less polluting than fossil fuel sources most widely used across the U.S. Supporting new renewable generation sources helps to reduce the demand for electricity generated from limited fossil fuels. Many residents and businesses across the U.S. are now choosing to pay a little more for electricity each month to cover the higher costs to produce renewable energy. There are more than 100 utilities currently offering these types of green pricing programs to their customers. The Sunshine Energy program demonstrates FPL’s commitment to meeting the needs of those customers who have expressed an interest in power generated from a renewable energy source. In fact, through our research, most customers said they are interested in FPL offering this type of program to support environmentally friendly electricity generation. As a customer-driven company, we are responding to our customers’ needs and interests. Will the clean power go directly to customers’ homes?No. Regardless of your actual electricity use, for each month that you participate in the Sunshine Energy program, FPL ensures that 1,000 kWh of cleaner electricity is produced from sources like wind, bioenergy and solar by generators in Florida and other states. Your participation in the program creates important environmental benefits in the areas where this cleaner, renewable electricity is generated. Once customers sign up for green power pricing, will they still buy power from FPL?Yes. FPL will still be the electricity provider. Nothing changes for customers. Customers will continue to purchase power from FPL, the utility they rely on and trust. Poles and wires and customer care will continue to be provided by FPL, so service is as reliable as always. How will renewable power be sold?Residential customers served by FPL have the option to choose power derived from renewable energy for a monthly charge of $9.75 that will appear on the monthly electric bill. It will be a fixed cost for the environmental benefits associated with 1,000 kWh of cleaner electricity. The purchase helps promote the development of new renewable facilities and the extra cost is less than the cost of a pizza. Isn’t FPL Group already a clean energy company?Yes, but we’re always trying to do more. Some examples of what we have done as a company include the fact that FPL’s power generation mix is cleaner in terms of air emissions than most utilities’ power nationwide. FPL Energy, an FPL Group company, uses clean-burning natural gas as 44 percent of its fuel mix. FPL Energy is a leading unregulated wholesale generator of clean energy, including natural gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric. It is the leader in wind energy, with 44 wind facilities in operation in 15 states. Wind power represents more than 26 percent of the company’s portfolio. Who should sign up for FPL’s Sunshine Energy program?Customers who choose to sign-up for the Sunshine Energy program want to make a difference in their world by helping to sustain our environment for future generations. They believe cleaner energy purchases can have an impact now, in the near future, and over the long term. What does the additional cost pay for?The charge goes toward the purchase of renewable resources for the program and nominal administrative costs to operate the program. In addition, customer demand for these resources and the portion of the monthly cost used to procure renewable resources helps spur the development of new renewable resources nationwide -- and new solar generation in Florida. What do you mean by signing up for 1,000 kWh of electricity for this program?You can think of it like this: Participants continue to pay by the kWh for the energy they use each month, just as they always have. But by participating in the Sunshine Energy program they also choose to have a fixed amount of power (1,000 kWh per month) generated on their behalf in Florida and other states from cleaner, renewable energy sources like bioenergy, wind and solar. 1,000 kWh corresponds to the approximate average monthly use of a Florida customer. By offering it this way to customers, FPL ensures cost-control for customers, while giving them the opportunity to reduce their share of CO2 pollution. Regardless of their actual usage, customers’ purchases of cleaner electricity are a set 1,000 kWh per month. This ensures that customers pay the same cost for the environmental benefits of cleaner electricity each month and offset the same amount of CO2 emissions each month. Where will the solar facilities be developed?As part of the Sunshine Energy program, FPL is committed to building solar projects right here in Florida! In fact, because of Sunshine Energy customers, the largest solar array in Florida – and one of the largest in the southeast – is being built in Sarasota. The new 250 kilowatt solar facility will be located at Rothenbach Park in Sarasota. When complete, it is expected to prevent more than 680,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from entering the air each year. That’s the same as not driving 760,000 miles or 1,600 round trips from Sarasota to Miami – every year! This new solar facility is becoming a reality because of Sunshine Energy customers who choose to make a difference. A second, smaller project is under construction at the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium. What are tradable renewable energy credits and how are they used?For each month that you participate in the Sunshine Energy program, FPL ensures 1,000 kWh of cleaner electricity is produced from sources like bioenergy, wind and solar by generators in Florida and other states. Your participation creates important environmental benefits in the areas where this cleaner, renewable electricity is generated, as well as supports the development of new solar energy sources in Florida. The Sunshine Energy program uses tradable renewable energy credits to help keep these cleaner renewable generators operating and create demand for additional renewable generation facilities to be built in the future. Can businesses sign up for a green power alternative?Yes. Business customers are able to enroll in the Sunshine Energy program. For only $9.75 more each month per block of 1,000 kilowatt-hours, FPL ensures that cleaner electricity is produced from sources like bioenergy and wind by generators in Florida and other states. Can I cancel my participation in the program at any time?Yes. You can cancel the program at any time simply by
Can I change my participation level?Yes. You can change your participation level 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. I’m ready to support green energy alternatives for Florida. Where do I go from here?Simply click here to enroll if you're already registered for online services. (See Online Services Registration for more information.) or call 1-888-FPL-GREEN (1-888-375-4733) today. When you receive your next electric bill you’ll see your commitment to help preserve the environment for future generations reflected right on the bill. |
