Solar Installations
The City of Leesburg applauds your decision to go solar. This is a major investment in your home.
Here are some tips to consider when making the investment in home Solar Energy:
Net Metering and How it Works:
As part of our commitment to support renewable energy, the City of Leesburg Electric Department is pleased to offer net metering. Net metering is a service that permits customers to offset part or all of their electric needs with their own renewable generating systems. Net metering promotes the development of renewable energy by allowing customers to use their own generation on-site, and to sell any excess generation to their electric utility.
Any excess solar energy that is sent to the grid is purchased at that moment. As the energy flows through the bi-directional meter, back to the grid, it registers on the meter. The excess energy is then credited to the customer on the monthly bill.
The excess generation that is produced is purchased by the FMPA, through the City of Leesburg. The rate is determined by FMPA. This rate is similar to a wholesale rate, and is lower than the retail rate you purchase power from the City of Leesburg. In 2022, that rate averaged $ 0.05 per kWh. The residential retail rate is $0.0923 per kWh (does not include the cost of BPCA) BPCA is the Bulk Power Cost Adjustment, or fuel charge. It is adjusted on a monthly basis by the City.
The Average size (kW) residential solar system in the City is 8.88 kW.
Monthly averages of Solar Production and Savings:
Average monthly kWh produced by solar: 957
Average monthly kWh sold to the City: 480
Average monthly kWh used by the customer: 413
Average monthly credit to the customer: $24.99
Average Monthly savings to the customer (energy, energy credit and taxes) $108.94
These numbers are based on data from the solar customers in the City of Leesburg Electric Department's service territory. The actual amounts customers may see can be higher or lower.
The average savings for a 1 kW panel is $10.89 per month. A 10kW system would save on average $108.90 per month or $1,306.80 annually.
Solar Systems average $3 per watt. A 10,000 watt (10 kW) system would cost $30,000.
To Calculate how much of the energy from the solar system you used in the home,
Start with the Solar generate, KWHG, Minus the Excess Solar transferred to the City, KWH2. This will give you the Kwh that you used from the solar. Add this figure to the kwh received from the City, KWH, and this will give your total kwh consumption for the house.
Steps for Solar installations:
- Research and select a system and company to install your system.
- Contractor to complete an “Application for Interconnection”, and complete the "Standard Interconnection Agreement" and the "Tri Party Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement". Submit to the Electric Department for review. Include a one line diagram of the proposed system so that it is verified it meets City of Leesburg Electric Department's requirements.
- The City of Leesburg Electric Department will review the application. Notification will be sent to the customer and contractor on the status of the application.
- The City of Leesburg will send the contractor and homeowner a copy of the approved interconnect agreement.
- The Solar contractor will apply for a building permit from the agency with jurisdiction.
- The Solar contractor will have the solar installation installed and inspected by the local building department.
- The customer will contact the City of Leesburg Electric Department to have a “Bi Directional” meter installed in the main meter panel, as well as a Solar Production meter installed that measures the output of the solar panel.
- The Customer and contractor will receive a PTO or Permission to Operate letter.
- Customers will be placed on a new meter reading route just for solar customers.
Sample Bill for Solar Customer:
Please note: The City of Leesburg requires a Solar Production Meter Can to be installed by the contractor. Leesburg Electric will install a second solar production meter at no cost to the customer to monitor the production of the solar system.
The City of Leesburg Electric Department does not allow load or line side taps in the breaker box. Solar leads must terminate on a breaker within the Main Panel.
A picture of a solar installation with Inverter, Disconnects,
Solar Production meter and Existing Meter can.
Phone: (352) 728-9786, ext 2021
Fax: (352) 326-6621
Email: Electric Service Planners