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February
27, 2009
Gainsville,
FL, USA: GRU Achieves First Year Target for Solar Program
Days
before Gainesville Regional Utilities officially launches its
Solar FIT program, the unique initiative has already reached a
significant milestone. GRU has received completed applications
to install solar photovoltaic systems that in total will be capable
of producing approximately 4 megawatts of energy – that’s GRU’s
first-year target for the solar program.
"We
are extremely excited about the popularity of the program. Obviously
our efforts to stimulate the market and bring more solar projects
to the community have been successful," said Bob Hunzinger, GRU
General Manager.
GRU
modeled the Solar FIT program after similar strategies that have
been successful in Europe. The program, set for implementation
on March 1, guarantees that the utility will buy all of the electricity
produced by the PV system at a fixed rate for 20 years. GRU set
the initial rate at $0.32 per kilowatt hour for electric customers
who sign up during the first two years of the program.
Now
that the utility has reached its target for 2009, Hunzinger said
they will continue to accept and approve applications, in the
order in which they are received, to fulfill the 2010 target of
4 megawatts.
Construction
of the PV systems is expected to be spread across the two-year
period. The rate of $0.32 per kilowatt hour will remain in effect
for 2010. GRU will use market data to evaluate and set the rate
for 2011.
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