KEYS Energy Services Solar & Net Metering Guide
Last updated: July 13, 2026 by Goldin Solar
KEYS Energy Services (the City Electric System of Key West) is the municipal electric utility for Key West and the Lower Keys. KEYS serves Key West, Stock Island, and a portion of the Lower Keys; the rest of the Florida Keys (Middle Keys, Upper Keys, and the Florida City mainland approach) is served by Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC). KEYS is one of the smaller municipal electric utilities in Florida by member count but one of the most operationally distinctive given the Lower Keys’ island geography.
Who KEYS serves
KEYS Energy Services serves:
– City of Key West — all addresses
– Stock Island — most addresses
– Lower Keys — through Sugarloaf and the Saddlebunch Keys
– Boca Chica / NAS Key West interface — KEYS handles civilian service
The Upper and Middle Keys (Marathon, Islamorada, Tavernier, Key Largo) are served by FKEC — see our FKEC net metering guide.
KEYS net metering: the basics
- Eligibility: Customer-sited residential PV at premises within KEYS territory (Monroe County, Lower Keys)
- System size cap: Tier I ≤10 kW, Tier II >10–100 kW, Tier III >100 kW–2 MW (standard FL muni 3-tier; confirm current Tier cap with KEYS)
- Bill credit structure: KEYS offers renewable energy net metering; retail rate is ~32.0¢/kWh (2026), among Florida’s highest, making solar economics unusually favorable — displaced rate value is roughly 2× of most FL utilities
- Annual true-up: Excess credits at year-end purchased at KEYS avoided cost rate; confirm current rate with KEYS at time of application
- Interconnection application: Required before installation
- PTO process: KEYS-managed meter swap and PTO
What makes KEYS different from FPL / Duke
- Municipal governance. Tariff is set by the KEYS Utility Board (City of Key West).
- Island residential profile. Key West and Lower Keys housing is dominated by historic conch houses, mid-1900s coastal frame construction, and modern hurricane-rebuild stock. Roof types and structural verification requirements vary widely.
- High electric rates historically. Key West’s island-isolated electrical grid produces some of Florida’s highest residential rates. This makes solar economics in Key West historically among the most favorable in Florida (highest displaced-rate value).
- Hurricane exposure is extreme. HVHZ classification, NOA hardware default, salt-air marine-grade electrical.
Permit + utility coordination for KEYS members
- Building permit with the City of Key West (or Monroe County for unincorporated Lower Keys)
- KEYS interconnection application — submitted in parallel
- HARC / historic preservation review for Old Town Key West (mandatory in historic district)
- Installation after permit issuance — strict tropical-cyclone-design hardware
- Final inspection by the building department
- KEYS meter swap after final inspection
- PTO grant
Typical KEYS timeline
| Stage | Typical days |
|---|---|
| Building permit + KEYS application | 21-45 (parallel; Key West HARC adds time) |
| Installation execution | 1-3 days (logistics matter — Keys delivery slower) |
| Final inspection | 5-14 |
| Meter swap + PTO | 28-49 |
What we’ve learned working with KEYS
- Key West HARC is the critical path for Old Town addresses. Historic Architectural Review Commission review can add 4-8 weeks. Solar can still be approved per §163.04.
- NOA hardware is non-negotiable. Monroe County is HVHZ; KEYS doesn’t change that.
- Material logistics matter. Driving panels and racking down US-1 to the Lower Keys adds 1-2 days.
- Solar economics in Key West are unusually favorable given high displaced-rate value.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lower Keys in HVHZ?
Yes — all of Monroe County is HVHZ.
Is Key West solar viable in the historic district?
Yes — HARC review applies, cannot prohibit per §163.04. Thorough documentation required.
KEYS vs. FKEC — which utility am I on?
Verify from your power bill. Key West / Stock Island / Lower Keys = KEYS. Marathon north = FKEC.
Are rates really that high?
KEYS rates have historically been among Florida’s highest. We model the actual economics against your usage — typically very favorable for solar.
Does Goldin Solar handle KEYS interconnection paperwork?
Yes — included on every Key West contract at no additional charge.
Talk to a Key West / Lower Keys solar specialist
Goldin Solar, LLC · 1105 US Highway 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960 · (855) 765-2730 · CVC 57300
Get a free Key West solar quote
Related guides: Solar permits in Monroe County / Florida Keys · FKEC net metering
Credentials
- Tesla Certified Installer (Solar + Powerwall)
- Sol-Ark Authorized Installer
- SolarEdge & Enphase certified
- Co-founder & CEO Joe Cataldo: BS Electrical Engineering (University of Florida)
- Florida licenses: CVC 57300 (Solar), EC1301385 (Electrical), CCC1331878 (Roofing)
- 3,000+ installations across Florida since 2014
- Office: 1105 US Highway 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960 · (855) 765-2730
Author + dates
- Author: Joe Cataldo, BS Electrical Engineering (University of Florida)
- Published: July 13, 2026
- Last reviewed: July 13, 2026
- Next review: every 6 months or sooner if the utility revises its tariff or program rules