ORLANDO, Fla. — On Dec. 10, the Orlando Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on its PeakSHIFT plans, a proposal that will change the utility company's pricing structure.

OUC officials say the change is designed to encourage conservation, reduce peak demand and help achieve clean energy goals. But some worry it will lead to higher costs for many Orlando customers.

What You Need To Know

  • OUC is voting on a new price structure called PEAKShift, something that solar advocates are against

  • Solar customers get a return of roughly 10 cents per kilowatt hour towards their OUC bill, but under the new structure, OUC is proposing only giving solar customers 4 cents per kilowatt hour

  • OUC did send out a notice this week that details its PeakSHIFT program and the changes that have been made since the original proposal was made in June

  • The company is also rejecting claims the new programs would double customers’ utility rates

OUC told Spectrum News their new PeakSHIFT plan is part of their commitment to achieving Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050. But solar advocates say they worry the plan reduces the incentives for going solar.

Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan says she believes solar power is the future, which is why she’s invested $40,000 of her own money for solar panels and back-up batteries.

“I am an early solar adopter — I did the City of Orlando Solar Co-Op," she said. "I believe in clean renewable energy, I believe in climate change, I think we all need to do our part."

Sheehan is taking center stage advocating against Orlando Utilities Commission’s proposed PeakSHIFT plan, saying it will lead to higher prices for customers and disincentivize anyone wanting to pivot to solar.

“They want to be the only ones that get the federal tax credits, they want to be the only ones generating,” Sheehan said.

Right now, what she’s putting into the grid, returns roughly 10 cents per kilowatt hour towards her OUC bill. Under the PeakSHIFT plan, OUC is proposing a reduction to 4 cents per kilowatt hour for future solar customers.

It’s something Sheehan said will not only hurt the solar industry itself, but the accessibility for future customers to get solar.

“What that does is it reduces what everybody is going to get paid back 60%," she said. "People are still going to be paying for their solar panels, they’re still going to basically have a mortgage on their panels. Then OUC is going to be able to steal the power and sell it."

According to information from OUC, current customers with solar will have their current reimbursement rate grandfathered in place for 20 years, and the proposed changes would only immediately affect new solar customers.

Regardless, Sheehan said the proposal doesn’t just affect solar customers, it’ll affects everyone. OUC officials claim the proposed changes are structured to “align costs more equitably with how customers use electricity." But Sheehan said what it will actually do is increase rates for everyone.

“Don’t be asleep at the wheel. Don’t wait until your power bill goes up sustainably. Don’t wait until you’re upset,” she said. “Pay attention to what OUC is doing, because this will be catastrophic for the city of Orlando.” 

OUC did send out a notice this week with details of the PeakSHIFT program and the changes that have been made since the original proposal was made in June.

The company is also rejecting claims the new programs would double customers’ utility rates.