Energy Incentive Programs, Florida
Updated November 2009
Below you will find questions and answers regarding Florida's utility energy efficiency programs, including options for load management, demand response, and distributed energy resources, and information about state-sponsored energy efficiency programs.
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What public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs are available in my state?
Florida has no public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs.
What utility energy efficiency programs are available to me?
Florida Power and Light (FP&L) offers the following opportunities:
Prescriptive rebates are available for energy-efficient equipment, including lighting, air-conditioning, chillers, thermal storage, insulation, reflective roofing, and other measures.
Free business energy evaluations are also offered, providing comprehensive analysis of facility energy use and recommendations for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.
The Business Custom Incentive Program rewards innovations that trim at least 25 kW from peak demand. To qualify for a business custom incentive, the project must differ from other FP&L rebate programs (see above) and be approved by FP&L in advance.
Progress Energy offers the following energy efficiency services:
Incentives are available for the replacement of existing HVAC, motors, lighting, roofs, roof and ceiling insulation, ducts, and window films with products that meet specified energy efficiency standards. The utility also subsidizes the installation of energy recovery ventilators in cases where a Progress Energy auditor recommends them. In addition to these product incentives, the company provides cost-shared services such as rooftop unit re-commissioning, duct testing, and PTAC/PTHP coil steam-cleaning when its walk-through audits suggest these measures.
New construction (PDF 73 KB) projects that use similar high-efficiency technologies may also qualify for incentives.
Through its Energy for Life program, Florida Public Utilities offers free energy audits and incentivizes indoor lighting efficiency retrofits at $100 per kW reduced.
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) offers incentives for a range of equipment, from energy-efficient lighting and air-conditioning (including chillers) to heat pump water heaters, as well as for envelope improvements such as insulation and window film. TECO also offers free basic energy audits and very low-cost comprehensive energy audits (for facilities of greater than 100,000 square feet or with peak demand over 500 kW) to evaluate facility energy use and opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.
Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) offers free energy audits and low-cost detailed engineering evaluations to its commercial and industrial customers.
Several municipal utilities also offer modest equipment rebates to commercial customers. These are profiled in the Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).
What load management/demand response options are available to me?
Tampa Electric Company offers several load management programs:
The Conservation Value Program provides rebates of up to $250/kW for equipment that shifts or reduces energy use during summer and/or winter peak periods. Measures providing as little as 5 kW are eligible.
The Load Management Program offers customers $2.50 to $3.00/kW credit on their monthly bills for allowing Tampa Electric to control operation of air-conditioning or specialized equipment during peak demand periods.
The Standby Generator Program provides customers with credits on their monthly electric bill at $3.50/kW for the portion of the normal facility load that can be served by a standby generator within 30 minutes notice during peak demand periods.
Florida Power and Light offers its Commercial/Industrial Demand Reduction program in which customers that demonstrate the ability to shed at least 200 kW can receive substantial monthly credits by allowing FP&L to install direct load control devices on assorted equipment (including generators) following a free audit from the company. Advance notice of control events is provided to the customer.
FP&L also provides a set of curtailable service rates in which customers agreeing to shed 200 kW or greater "from time to time" are remunerated at $1.67 per kW each month of the year. There are penalties for non-compliance with curtailment requests.
Progress Energy offers several discounted load management and curtailable service (PDF 70 KB) rates for customers that can shed load upon request. Load management options involve direct load control of electrical equipment (e.g., packaged air-conditioners) by the company. The more attractive curtailable service options require a 25% curtailment (minimum 500 kW).
What distributed energy resource options are available to me?
DSIRE provides information on programs that offer incentives for renewable distributed generation. The following programs may of interest to Federal customers:
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection administers the Solar Energy System Incentives Program in which commercial installations of solar water heating ($15/1,000 Btu) or photovoltaic (PV) systems ($4/watt-DC) are eligible for rebates of up to $5,000 for water heating and $100,000 for PV. As of October 2009, this program is heavily over-subscribed and discouraging new applications. There is potential for an injection of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to fortify the program's finances, in which case new applications may again be welcomed.
JEA offers its Solar Incentive Program to commercial customers who install or repair solar hot water systems. Incentives range up to 30% of the total cost with a maximum of $5,000 per new installation and $500 for repair of an existing one.
Are there energy efficiency programs sponsored by the state government?
For information on state-funded energy efficiency options, contact the Florida Energy and Climate Commission.
What additional opportunities are available to me?
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a state-supported research and training center for renewable energy and energy efficiency, offers a variety of resources and services, primarily focused on passive design principles and solar energy, to builders and consumers.
Federal customers whose utilities have areawide supply contracts through the General Services Administration (GSA) (e.g., AGL Resources, Gulf Power, Okaloosa County Gas, Peoples Gas, Tampa Electric, and Florida Power and Light) may be able to take advantage of third-party financed energy efficiency projects called utility energy service contracts (UESCs). Information is available through the GSA Energy Center of Expertise Library. Federal facilities should contact their account executive to determine the level of each utility's participation.
NOTE: Energy efficiency funds and demand response programs are updated at least annually. Please contact the FEMP webmaster if changes are needed between updates.