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Duke Energy outlines off-site solar program, says New Port Richey is 50% of its sustainability target
Summary
Duke Energy representatives described the Clean Energy Connection off-site solar subscription program and told the council the city is subscribed to enough RECs to account for roughly 50% of municipal electricity usage; staff and Duke Energy answered questions about net metering, program costs and projected payback.
Duke Energy representatives briefed the council on the company's Clean Energy Connection program and New Port Richey's participation. Katie Christian, director of government and community relations for Duke Energy, said the program lets municipalities subscribe to generation from off-site solar facilities and receive Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and credits to reduce reported Scope 2 emissions.
Travis, Duke Energy's subject-matter expert on the program, told the council that participants are named to the program portfolio and that New Port Richey is currently subscribed to about 2,500 kilowatts; the city received about 5,200 RECs last year, which Travis said accounts for about 50 percent of the city's electricity usage. He said participants pay roughly $8.35 per kilowatt subscription, earn credits tied to their share of generation, and that the program is voluntary and flexible (no long-term contract required).
Travis said the program term is 30 years, projected city break-even is between 9 and 13 years, and long-term savings could range roughly from $300,000 to $650,000 over the life of participation if the city remains in the program. Councilmembers asked about net metering and whether other utilities were changing their policies; Duke Energy said net metering remains available to its customers and it could not speak for other utilities.
Councilmembers asked technical and program-administration questions; Duke representatives said vendors and program administrators will manage operational logistics and that the city can opt down or exit the program if it finds alternatives.
No formal council action was required on the presentation.
