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ORDER NO. PSC-2020-0508-TRF-EI <br /> DOCKET NO. 20200209-EI <br /> PAGE 3 <br /> As of August 2020, SolarNow had 51,049 total participants. Participation over the <br /> lifetime of the program has exceeded FPL's expectations, with enrollment peaking at 58,000 <br /> participants, over 4 times the "high participation" case presented in the original 2014 filing. <br /> When evaluating the potential market overlap between SolarTogether and SolarNow, FPL found <br /> that the introduction of SolarTogether had minimal impact on the SolarNow's participation. On <br /> Page 7 of the petition, FPL stated that although 420 residential customers left the program in <br /> favor of SolarTogether, 1,799 residential customers maintain dual enrollment, or approximately <br /> 3.4 percent of SolarNow participants. <br /> In its petition, FPL discussed several reasons why it proposed ending the program, <br /> despite exceeding the utility's expectations. In 2014,opportunities for customers to participate in <br /> solar programs were narrow and customer awareness of solar generation was likewise limited. <br /> However, in the six years since the program's inception, cost-effective, large-scale solar has <br /> become far more prevalent. The lessons learned from SolarNow have allowed FPL to initiate its <br /> SolarTogether initiative. As such, customers now have the opportunity to participate in a <br /> program which shares the economic benefits of solar with both participants and non-participants. <br /> Construction of New Assets <br /> As directed by our 2014 Order, FPL is required to size construction of SolarNow's solar <br /> projects based on the level of participation, so that participant contributions will approximate the <br /> project's revenue requirement net of estimated avoided fuel and emissions costs. FPL stated that <br /> it would not install any additional solar structures after approximately March 21, 2021, but <br /> would continue to enhance existing sites.?FPL stated that the final asset to be constructed is still <br /> under negotiation; as a result, there is still uncertainty regarding the asset's completion date. FPL <br /> also stated that if the project does not come to fruition, the utility intends to replace it with a <br /> comparable project. In addition, once construction of new assets has ended, the contributions <br /> from participants would be used to pay for the depreciation of existing assets at an accelerated <br /> rate, as discussed in Issue 2. FPL agreed that if at the end of SolarNow there is a revenue <br /> requirement shortfall,the utility and its shareholders would absorb these costs, as directed by our <br /> 2014 Order.8 <br /> Program Participation <br /> In its petition, FPL stated that the tariff would remain open to new participants after FPL <br /> ceases construction of new assets, as other program benefits would still be available to <br /> participants. Specifically, the utility asserts that the solar assets would continue to provide <br /> renewable generation, promote awareness and community engagement, and education. FPL <br /> plans to continue to partner with various host sites to offer benefits, as well as expand <br /> educational outreach about solar generation. <br /> FPL filed a list of all SolarNow projects that are either planned or currently under construction. Document No. <br /> 11292-2020. <br /> Order No. PSC-14-0468-TRF-EI, states "FPL explained that should SolarNow be terminated after the three-year <br /> trial period, and in the event that participant contributions and avoided/fuel emission benefits do not cover the <br /> remaining revenue requirements,FPL and its shareholders will absorb the difference below-the-line." <br />