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ORDER NO. PSC -2017 -0499 -TRF -EI <br />DOCKET NO. 20170212 -EI <br />PAGE 2 <br />Decision <br />The VSP program was approved as a voluntary pilot program with customer enrollment <br />beginning in January 2015. However, due to the time needed for FPL to complete billing system <br />modifications, the billing of VSP program participants for the monthly $9 charge did not start <br />until May 2015. A one-year extension of the VSP program tariff would provide FPL with the <br />opportunity to gather additional data regarding the durability of customer interest over a more <br />substantial period of time. <br />The first 12 months of the VSP program experienced moderate participation growth, with <br />2,734 participants (residential and commercial) enrolled by April 2016. In July 2016, FPL <br />implemented adjustments to improve the online enrollment process which resulted in an increase <br />in participants to 11,994 by the end of 2016. As of August 31, 2017, 22,705 participants were <br />enrolled in the VSP program. FPL stated that, on average, the monthly new enrollments have <br />more than offset the number of participants who have elected to unsubscribe. <br />The VSP program was designed for FPL to use the voluntary contributions to support the <br />revenue requirement associated with constructing and operating the solar facilities so that non- <br />participants are not required to subsidize the solar facilities. FPL stated in its amended response <br />to Commission staffs first data request No. 2. that the voluntary contributions did not cover the <br />revenue requirement in 2015; however, for 2016 and 2017 FPL showed that the revenues <br />received under the VSP program are greater than the revenue requirement of the solar facilities. <br />Thus, the net impact to all customers has been positive for 2016 and 2017. <br />As discussed in Order No. PSC -14 -0468 -TRF -EI, FPL is sizing the solar projects based <br />on the level of participation. FPL currently has 7 projects completed, 15 projects under <br />construction, and 20 projects ready for construction. FPL stated that the completed and planned <br />solar projects comprise a diverse set of assets, including ground -mount structures, rooftop <br />installations, covered walkways, parking canopies, and interactive tree -like structures. <br />Cnni-Iiicinn <br />We agree with FPL, and find that a one-year extension of the tariff will allow FPL the <br />opportunity to gather additional data regarding customer interest and the long-term viability of <br />the VSP program. At the end of pilot program, FPL will petition this Commission regarding the <br />future of the VSP program. FPL also stated that it is currently developing, for our approval <br />within the next year, a new large scale solar program which would provide participants with <br />direct credits on their electric bill associated with the blocks of solar -generated capacity <br />purchased. <br />Based on the foregoing, it is <br />ORDERED by the Florida Public Service Commission Florida Power & Light <br />Company's petition for a one-year extension of its Voluntary Solar Partnership program and <br />associated tariff is hereby approved. It is further <br />