Solar Photovoltaic for Electricity
When sunlight hits photovoltaic (PV) materials it is converted into electricity. Many homes and businesses install solar PV panels to provide portions of their electricity needs. Gulf Power offers an incentive of $2 per watt up to a maximum of $10,000 per installation of a qualified system.
Online incentives are limited and must be reserved through online application before installation of qualifying solar systems.
All funding has been reserved for 2012. Apply for 2013 incentives beginning 9 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) on October 1, 2012, to receive payment in 2013. All eligibility requirements apply.
Click Here for Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a Gulf Power residential or business customer.
- Application must be in the name of the Gulf Power account holder and must include the Gulf Power account number.
- Incentive reservation applications are accepted online only.
- Reservations will be issued on a first-come basis until all funds are committed.
- To qualify for the incentive, you must apply for and receive an approved reservation from Gulf Power PRIOR to system installation.
- An approved reservation does not guarantee that a rebate will be awarded, only that funding for a rebate is available should the system be installed, meet all program requirements and pass inspection.
- AFTER receiving an approved reservation and PRIOR to installation of the system, Gulf Power must perform an on-site Energy Check-Up.
- Systems must be a minimum of 2 kW DC. You may install a PV system larger than 5kW, but the incentive is limited to a maximum of $10,000.
- The PV system must be installed by a State of Florida licensed electrician or solar contractor within 90 days of receiving an approved reservation from Gulf Power.
- All major system components must be new (not previously used or refurbished).
- Retrofits or upgrades to existing systems do not qualify.
- Systems must comply with all local, state, and federal codes and standards.
- Systems must be interconnected to Gulf Power's electric distribution system and meet all Gulf Power Net Metering interconnection requirements.
- Gulf Power must inspect the PV system after installation.
- Incentive will be paid for approved PV installation after receipt and verification of the following supporting documentation:
- " Completed and signed copy of the reservation application and confirmation sheet (NOTE: This MUST be signed by the customer of record and installing contractor. You will be required to print this documentation at the end of the online application process!),
- Copy of installing contractor's Purchase Agreement,
- Copy of contractor's final invoice showing total system cost including installation,
- Copy of contractor solar site survey. (Must be signed and dated by customer of record.),
- Copy of PV Watts calculation sheet, (Must be signed and dated by customer of record.),
- Net Metering Application and Net Metering Agreement including:
- Panel specification sheet showing UL1703 certification.
- Inverter specification sheet showing UL1741/IEEE 1547 certification.
- Line schematic of system.
- Copy of local code enforcement agency report indicating installation has passed all applicable inspections.
Note: Solar site survey must provide a site specific solar plot using the Solar Pathfinder, Solnetric Sun Eye, or equivalent tool.
Apply Online
Current available funds: $
Please Note: Due to possible high volume of simultaneous applicants, funds may be depleted prior to completing the online application. You will be notified of available funds remaining throughout the application process.
Gulf Power has allocated $435,000 per year towards Solar PV incentives through the year 2014. Each year we'll accept reservations from residential and business customers wishing to install a PV system and qualify for a rebate. Reservations will be issued on a first-come basis until all funds are committed.
A reservation does not guarantee that a rebate will be awarded, only that funding for a rebate is available should the system be installed, meet all program requirements and pass inspection.
Before you start the application process, please gather the following information:
Customer Information
- Valid Gulf Power customer account number and account information including: exact name of customer of record, address, mailing address (if different), phone, email
Contractor Information
- Contractor name, contact person, address, phone, email, website, license number(s)
- If applicable, subcontractor name, contact person, address, phone, email, website, license number(s)
System Information
- Contractor's Purchase Agreement including the following:
- Panel manufacturer, model number, DC rating, number of panels
- Inverter manufacturer, model number, max voltage
- System azimuth and tilt
- Shading derate factor from contractor solar site survey
- Total system cost including installation
Incentives are limited and must be reserved through online application before installation of qualifying solar systems.
Connecting to the Grid
For our customers who have installed a renewable energy system (up to 2 MW) on their homes or businesses, Gulf Power offers Net Metering which allows us to meter the system and provide credit to the customer for any excess electricity generated.
Solar PV for Electricity: Get $2 per Watt incentive — up to $10,000 — when you add solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Solar Water Heating: Get a $1,000 incentive when you add a solar water heater.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Get $400 per ton for a high efficiency geothermal system.
General Information
- Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
- U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Florida Solar Energy Industries Association
Calculators
- PV Watts estimates the energy production and cost savings of grid-connected solar electricity systems.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory IMBY allows you to draw in your system on your actual property to estimate system size.
- Find Solar provides a quick solar calculator to estimate PV system sizing requirements and payback periods.
- FSEC Solar Water Heating simple calculator provides the energy, cost and environmental savings potential of residential solar hot water systems in Florida.
Solar Electricity Basics
System Cost
- An average system will cost from $4,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt (kW) installed (without batteries).
- Batteries for critical load backup can add 25 to 50% more to the cost.
- You must have battery back-up in order to have power from the solar system when grid power is down.
- The typical estimated solar PV module life is 30 years.
- The typical estimated solar inverter life is 15-20 years.
System Production
- You can expect to generate 4 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day per KW of installed capacity here in Northwest Florida.
- For example: A 5-kW system will have an average annual production of 7,300 kWh (5 kW x 4 kWh/day/kW x 365 days/year = 7,300 kWh per year).
Return on Investment
- A 1-kW solar PV array producing 4 kWh per day will give you approximately 1,460 kWh/year.
- At 13 cents per kWh, the value of this generated energy is $190 per year.
- For a 1-kW solar PV array with a system cost of $5,000 and annual savings of $190/yr, your simple payback is 26 years.
- With 30% Federal Tax Credit, the simple payback is reduced to 18 years.
- Adding the $2/Watt Gulf Power incentive lowers the simple payback to 8 years.
