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With over $175 billion in new commercial construction
annually, the environmental burden imposed by the construction and
operation of buildings will continue to rise. Therefore, a new model
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can be implemented at no extra cost. Life-cycle cost accounting, which
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environmental costs, makes some design options look more attractive
once they are evaluated on other than just first cost. |
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http://www.theledger.com/article/20090720/news/907205067
City commissioners approve utility's plans to offer residential customers
the heaters, and a 20-year obligation.
By Rick Rousos
THE LEDGER
Published: Monday, July 20, 2009 at 12:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 2:36 a.m.
LAKELAND | Lakeland Electric is taking the "pilot" out of its solar water
heating program. It hopes to have solar water-heating systems installed in
up to 20,000 homes during the next 20 years.
That's with the help of a private company, California-based Regenesis -
and the consent of customers who would have to make a long term commitment.
The program approved by city commissioners Monday is open only to
residential customers. Customers will invest nothing up front but will be
obligated for 20 years.
The cost of the solar water heating system will be $34.95 per month, a
figure guaranteed not to rise for 20 years. That's what utility officials
say it costs now for the typical residential customer to heat water for a
month in a traditional heater.
Opting out of the program before the 20 years is up will cost a customer
$250.
Starting in about three months, the plan is for 750 to 1,500 solar
water-heating systems to be installed within a year.
Lakeland Electric will get $2 of the monthly $34.95 to cover
administrative costs. Utility General Manager Jim Stanfield said state and
federal regulators in the future will require such environmentally
friendly programs, so there's no reason to delay getting started.
Lakeland Electric officials say that the price of electricity produced in
the city's generators is sure to go up in the next 20 years, which is
where customer savings will come from. That's one reason why they're
confident they can find customers.
Another is that 80-gallon water tanks will be installed instead of
standard 40-gallon ones.
Regeneis will install 40-foot solar panels on roofs that face the south.
Commissioners voted 4-2 to ramp up the solar heating program, which began
a dozen years ago. Commissioners Edie Yates, Howard Wiggs, Jim Verplanck
and Gow Fields voted yes.
Mayor Buddy Fletcher and Commissioner Justin Troller voted no.
Commissioner Glenn Higgins was absent.
Troller said he voted no because 20 years is too long an obligation for
customers.
"If new technology comes along and makes this obsolete, our customers will
be left holding the bag," Troller said. "Plus, it costs them $250 to get
out of the deal."
Lakeland Electric does not pay federal taxes, so the utility would not be
eligible for the federal treasury grants made available for green energy.
But Regenesis can claim those grants and lower its costs.
Lakeland Electric isn't new to solar water heaters. Utility officials say
their pilot program was the first of its kind in America. Between 1997 and
the early 2000s, 60 customers began using solar water heaters.
If the solar water heating plan becomes popular, Lakeland Electric will
sell less electricity. Utility supervisors say that loss will have to be
made up by all of its customers. That cost by 2014 is expected to be about
75 cents per month for the average residential electricity user.
Regenesis said 30 to 50 jobs for people to work in this area will go to
local people.
Jeff Curry, Lakeland Electric's alternative energy coordinator, said the
next 90 days or so will be spent on the finishing touches. When the
utility is ready to accept correspondence from people interested in solar
water heaters, it will put the information in bills and on its Web site.
City Manager Doug Thomas says the solar program is a winner because the
cost of power will go up but the cost of solar-heated water won't.
"Name one thing," Thomas said, "that hasn't gone up in the last 20 years."
[ Rick Rousos can be reached at rick.rousos@theledger.com or 863-802-7514.
]
This story appeared in print on page B1
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