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Solar-energy customers hope to receive credit on power bill -- OrlandoSentinel.com 3/1/08 2:04 PM

March 1, 2008

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Home > Top News > Florida News SPECIAL REPORT: Search our database Solar-energy customers hope to receive of foreclosures in credit on power bill Florida Classifieds Place an Ad Next week's vote will determine whether they can sell surplus energy to utility Jobs companies. Cars Real Estate Christopher Boyd | Sentinel Staff Writer As foreclosures soar, dreams die Builder Showcase March 1, 2008 Foreclosures leave painful ripple effect Apartments Do your homework before foreclosure auction Items for sale Pets Florida's solar-energy advocates are eagerly awaiting a state Article tools Services Public Service Commission vote next week on rules that would E-mail Public/legal notices require electric utilities to buy power at market rates from Share ADVERTISEMENT Dating/Personals customers who install solar-generating systems. Celebrations Print The proposal sets guidelines for "net-metering," a billing structure Reprints that allows customers who generate their own electricity to sell Post comment any surplus amounts to their utilities in exchange for a credit on Text size: their power bill. Regulators are scheduled to vote on the change Tuesday.

According to the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida is one of only a handful of states that doesn't already have a net-metering standard in place. Weather

News "This should open the marketplace Local News Ads by Google to solar in Florida," said Bruce Orange County Honda Solar Cell Kershner, a spokesman for the Seminole County Learn about Honda's next-generation solar cells association. "It will remove some of Lake County and see what we see. the barriers. Those who install solar Volusia County systems want to get paid." Osceola County www.honda.com Polk-Southwest Search Classifieds State / Region Solar Energy Investing Under the proposed rules, utilities SHOP JOBS CARS HOMES Nation / World The Breakout Solar Energy Stock You Must Own would credit customers' accounts Click here for more home search options. Crime News Now. New Free Report when they send surplus electricity to City or ZIP: State: Crime Logs www.DailyReckoning.com/Solar_Report the power grid, offsetting the cost of Space & Science the utility-generated electricity that GO San Jose Solar Panels FL Education News the customers consume. Lottery Results Our Solar Energy Company Offers a Variety of Other Features Special Reports Solar Panels & Products. Births GullSolar.com The change would apply to power Sports generated by solar and other Business Breakout Solar Companies sources of renewable energy. Entertainment A Few Select Companies Will Corner the New Lifestyle Solar Market. Free Report. Solar advocates say such a financial Looking For A New Home? Travel www.GreenChipStocks.com/Solar_Rpt Click here to visit our Builder Showcase Video • • • • • • • • • • incentive will boost their industry in a state synonymous with sunshine. Gallery for the latest community and model Obituaries ECS Solar Energy Systems Although the state offers rebates to videos. Elections / Politics Florida Oldest and Largest International Solar Hall Live Traffic Maps of Fame! those who install a solar-generating Green Living www.ecs-solar.com system, and federal tax credits are Popular stories Calendar of Events also available, the cost of the Neighborhoods Most viewed Most e-mailed technology is high. Data Central Public Records 2 people killed, 2 injured in plane collision at Weird News "A system could run $20,000, $30,000 or $40,000 for a house," Kershner said. "But with Titusville airport crude oil passing $100 a barrel, the impact on energy rates is coming." Opinion-Editorials Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary undergoes Kershner said rising demand for solar systems also should lower the cost of such emergency surgery Topics (Beta) systems. Magic must fight complacency Blogs "You take computers, high-definition televisions and other technologies -- when the price Homeowner loses in porn case comes down, demand goes up," Kershner said. Columnists Artist celebrates Leap Year Day by jumping off ladder in Orlando 366 times Regulators drafted the new rules in December and have been collecting comments from Videos utilities and others since then. More most viewed Photos-Multimedia C.J. Drake, a spokesman for Progress Energy Florida, said his utility currently Shopping reimburses about 70 customers who operate solar generators -- but at a lower rate than ADVERTISEMENT the proposed state rules would require. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-solar0108mar01,0,3888598.story Page 1 of 3 Solar-energy customers hope to receive credit on power bill -- OrlandoSentinel.com 3/1/08 2:04 PM

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