Summary
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) offers its customers a rebate of $1.50 per watt to install solar-electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems. The current maximum rebate is $7,500 for residential customers and $37,500 for commercial customers. GRU will perform a pre-inspection of the applicant’s site; results of the pre-inspection will determine rebate eligibility. The final rebate level will be determined following verification of the installed system by a GRU solar field inspector. The rebate only applies to locations within the GRU electric service territory. The residential rebate will only be available for residential customers with systems 10 kW or smaller, who elect to remain net-metered.
PV modules must be UL-listed or ETL-listed to qualify for the rebate. All PV systems installed must carry at least a five-year warranty from the manufacturer and installer. The contractor must be currently certified to install PV systems by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Construction Industry Licensing Board. Licensed electrical contractors must obtain all necessary permits and perform all electrical interconnections. The customer must carry and maintain $100,000 in liability insurance.
All PV systems connected to GRU’s electrical grid must comply with current City of Gainesville guidelines governing interconnection with GRU’s electric system, and any subsequent revisions to these guidelines. Deed restrictions must not prohibit the installation of a PV system on property per Florida’s solar-access law. Customers must transfer to GRU all renewable-energy credits (RECs) and other environmental attributes from power generated by PV systems receiving rebates from GRU.
Unless otherwise specified by GRU, PV systems receiving rebates will be dual metered. Under this arrangement, customers will be paid for the electricity they generate that is not used onsite at the time of production. GRU pays an average of 6.2 cents per kilowatt-hour ($0.062/kWh) for customer excess generation.
GRU retains the right to deny rebates based on inadequate solar window or poor orientation of the solar array.
Contact:
Information – Conservation Service-GRU
Gainesville Regional Utilities
Conservation Services Department
PO Box 147117
Station A114
Gainesville, FL 32614
Phone: (352) 393-1460
Web Site: http://www.gru.com