The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) has approved Florida Power & Light Company's (FPL) community solar plan allowing it to go ahead with 20 solar power plants with an aggregate capacity of 1.49 GW, making it the 'largest community solar program in the United States'.
The proposal to develop 20 projects of 74.5 MW each had been under consideration of the commission since March 2019 when FPL submitted it for approval (see US Utility Proposes 1.49 GW Community Solar Plan).
This shared solar program called FPL SolarTogether offers consumers to opt for 100% solar through PV facilities built and maintained by the utility across Florida, saving on upfront costs of an individual system, and pay a fixed monthly subscription charge. Some part of it will also cater to low-income customers that FPL claims is the largest low-income solar offering the country.
The entire capacity is scheduled to come online by mid of 2021.
The program enjoys support of several business entities as Walmart and 7-Eleven. More than 150,000 residential and small business customers have already signed up for program updates. FPL plans to open enrollment on March 17, 2020.
Recently a community solar program of Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) termed Neighborhood SolarShares raised brows in the local solar industry as it provides an option to Californian homes to either opt for rooftop solar or go in for community solar, a step that the local solar industry argues discourages consumers from becoming prosumers (see California Home Owners get Alternative For Rooftop Solar).