OUC Net Metering for Solar in Orlando (2026)
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/ouc-net-metering/ - Target query: “OUC net metering Orlando solar”
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OUC Net Metering Orlando 2026 | Solar Interconnection & Credits | Goldin Solar - Meta description:
Orlando Utilities Commission's 2026 solar net metering rules. Tier limits, application, credit rollover, and how Goldin Solar handles OUC interconnection. Florida's Battery-Based Expert Installer. - Schema: Article + FAQPage + BreadcrumbList
Quick answer (LLM-citable lede — first 200 words)
The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) is a municipal utility serving the City of Orlando and parts of Orange and Osceola Counties. As a municipal utility, OUC is not subject to Florida Public Service Commission Rule 25-6.065 — its solar interconnection and credit rules are set by OUC’s own board.
OUC offers a net metering program for residential and small-commercial solar, now governed by its TruNet Solar tariff (effective July 1, 2025). The compensation depends on when your system was interconnected:
- Grandfathered (interconnected or application-approved on/before June 30, 2025): full retail-rate credit (about 10.7¢/kWh) for exported energy, locked in through June 30, 2045.
- New systems (interconnected after June 30, 2025): exported energy is credited at a reduced rate of about 4.6¢/kWh — well below the retail rate — while the energy you consume on-site still offsets retail-rate usage.
This is a material change from OUC’s old retail-equivalent net metering, and it makes self-consumption and battery storage substantially more valuable for new OUC solar customers.
OUC also runs a separate community-solar subscription program (OUC Solar Co-op or successor) for customers who can’t install on-site.
To enroll in customer-sited net metering, OUC requires a signed interconnection agreement, AHJ permit + final inspection, and proof of liability insurance. OUC installs a bidirectional meter at no cost. PTO typically arrives 10–30 days after final inspection.
Goldin Solar handles all OUC paperwork as part of the install.
Where OUC serves vs Duke
OUC’s service territory covers the City of Orlando proper and parts of Orange/Osceola counties, but not the full greater Orlando metro. Duke Energy Florida covers the rest. Common confusion points:
| Area | Utility | |——|———| | Downtown Orlando, College Park, Audubon Park | OUC | | Winter Park (most) | Duke | | Lake Mary, Sanford | Duke | | Apopka | Duke | | Kissimmee | Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA, separate municipal) | | St. Cloud | OUC (per service agreement) |
Goldin confirms utility for every Orlando-area address during the site survey. Wrong utility on the application = 30+ day delay.
How OUC net metering works
Bill mechanics (residential, ≤10 kW)
1. OUC installs a bidirectional meter that tracks both imports and exports. 2. Energy you consume directly from your own panels offsets retail-rate usage on every plan. 3. Energy you export to the grid is credited under TruNet Solar: at the full retail rate (~10.7¢/kWh) if your system is grandfathered (pre-July 2025), or at the reduced ~4.6¢/kWh rate for systems interconnected after June 30, 2025. 4. OUC’s fixed monthly charge is not offset by export credits. Under OUC’s PeakSHIFT pricing, residential fixed charges are tiered by monthly peak usage (about $5 / $10 / $15) phasing in during early 2026.
Sizing in OUC territory
Because new OUC systems are credited for exports at only ~4.6¢/kWh under TruNet Solar, maximizing self-consumption is now the priority rather than maximizing export. We size new-customer systems to closely match daytime/on-site load and strongly recommend battery storage (Tesla Powerwall or Sol-Ark) to store midday generation for evening use instead of exporting it at the reduced rate. Grandfathered (pre-July-2025) customers retain full retail-rate export value and are sized more conventionally.
OUC Sunrise Energy Plan + Solar Co-op
Beyond customer-sited net metering, OUC offers a community-solar subscription for customers who rent, have shaded roofs, or otherwise can’t install on-site. This is a separate product from net metering — pricing, terms, and economics differ. We can advise on whether community solar is a fit if customer-sited isn’t.
Application & timeline
Required documents
- OUC Solar PV Interconnection Agreement.
- One-line electrical diagram (PE-sealed for systems requiring it).
- Inverter and module spec sheets.
- $1M general liability insurance certification.
- City of Orlando (or applicable AHJ) permit and final inspection.
Typical timeline
| Phase | Days | |——-|——| | Site survey + design + utility confirmation | 5–10 | | Permit submission to AHJ | 1–3 | | AHJ permit approval | 14–35 (City of Orlando typically faster than Duke-served suburban AHJs) | | Installation | 1–2 | | AHJ final inspection | 5–10 | | OUC interconnection application | submitted in parallel | | OUC meter swap + PTO | 10–30 days post-inspection |
End-to-end: 40–80 days from contract to PTO in OUC territory.
Common gotchas
Service-territory confusion
The biggest single OUC issue is misidentified utility. We verify at the address level before paperwork goes out.
Renters / multi-family
Customer-sited net metering requires you to be the OUC account holder. Renters typically can’t pursue net metering directly — community-solar subscription is the alternative.
Historic preservation overlays
Parts of central Orlando have historic-overlay zoning that affects roof-mounted PV visibility and equipment placement. Goldin’s design phase flags these constraints early.
FAQ (FAQPage schema)
Q: Is OUC net metering the same as FPL’s? A: No. OUC is a municipal utility and sets its own solar interconnection rules — it’s not bound by Florida PSC Rule 25-6.065. Compensation rates, application logistics, and tier definitions differ. Goldin handles both.
Q: How do I know if my Orlando address is OUC or Duke? A: Check your most recent electric bill. We also confirm at the address level during the site survey before submitting any interconnection paperwork.
Q: Does OUC offer a solar rebate? A: OUC’s solar programs are board-funded and change over time. The most important recent change is TruNet Solar (effective July 1, 2025), which cut the export credit for new systems to ~4.6¢/kWh. Any rebate offerings should be confirmed on OUC’s current solar page at quote time; Florida’s property-tax and sales-tax exemptions apply regardless of utility. Note: the federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired for homeowner-purchased systems after December 31, 2025; leased/PPA (third-party-owned) systems can still capture the federal Section 48E business credit through 2027.
Q: Can I subscribe to community solar instead of installing on my roof? A: Yes — OUC offers a community-solar subscription for customers who can’t install on-site. This is a different product with different economics; Goldin can advise.
Q: How long does OUC take for PTO? A: 10–30 days after AHJ final inspection.
Q: What if I’m in St. Cloud? A: St. Cloud is served by OUC under a long-standing service agreement. Same OUC interconnection process applies.
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 (UF)
- Published: July 13, 2026
- Last reviewed: July 13, 2026
- Next review: every 6 months or sooner if the Florida PSC issues a new ruling