Sunshine Energy approaches first solar milestone

Juno Beach-based Florida Power & Light Co. said nearly 6,000 of its customers are now enrolled in its green pricing program. The electric company also said it will announce the location for its first solar facility in the coming weeks.

FP&L launched Sunshine Energy for its 3.6 million residential customers in February. The company said it does not profit from the program, which instructs FP&L to provide 150 kilowatts of solar capacity in Florida for every 10,000 customers who sign up.

Sunshine Energy is the fastest-growing green pricing program in the Southeast, FP&L said.

"Furthermore, at the current rate, this green power program will be the largest in the Southeast by the end of the year," FP&L added.

In addition to their regular electric bill, customers pay $9.75 a month to support Sunshine Energy.

FP&L said there are currently more than 500 similar green power programs offered by utilities throughout the United States.

"In the Southeast, for example, 121 utilities offer renewable energy programs to their customers," the company said.

Citing data from the U.S Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). FP&L said its Sunshine Energy program is the second largest program in the Southeast. The company also said its program has the lowest price per kilowatt hour in the Southeast and one of the lowest in price per kilowatt hour nationwide.

"We applaud FP&L for the successful launch of its green pricing program," said Lori Bird, senior energy analyst with NREL. "According to NREL's data, FPL's program is on track to be among the top 10 utility green pricing programs nationally in terms of customer participants."

Bill Hamilton, FP&L vice president of customer service, said Floridians care about their impact on the environment and many of them have done their part to increase cleaner energy purchases in Florida."

"We want to thank those customers who are demonstrating their support for the environment and making Sunshine Energy a part of their electricity purchase," he said.

FP&L is the principal subsidiary of Juno Beach-based FPL Group (NYSE: FPL). Shares in the parent company closed up 11 cents to $67.74. The 52-week high was $68.81 on March 9. The 52-week low was $60.01 on Aug. 6, 2003.