Solar Power

Metering Infographic
Click this image to learn how PRECO calculates solar bills. Use the worksheet to estimate your usage.

Many persons regard solar as a way to:

  • Control electric use
  • Protect the environment
  • Reduce carbon emissions

If you are considering solar, it is important to understand how it will affect your Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) bill.

How It Works with PRECO

  • When a member’s solar system produces more energy than is needed, PRECO will buy that excess energy at the rate we pay our wholesale power supplier.
  • When a member’s system does not produce enough energy, power needs are provided by PRECO at the same retail rate that all other members pay.

PRECO’s retail rate includes:

  • The variable cost of wholesale energy
  • The fixed cost of power plants
  • The statewide transmission grid
  • Our local distribution system

Do Your Homework Before You Commit

Before deciding if solar is right for you, we encourage you to investigate your options.
To help you make an informed decision, we have provided information below from independent sources.

Solar Rooftop Assessment Tool

By answering a few simple questions, PRECO’s Rooftop Solar Assessment Tool helps you determine:

  • Cost estimates
  • How much energy you can expect to generate
  • How long it will take the system to pay for itself
  • And more
Is solar right for you?

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s “Be Solar Smart” Checklist

IREC, an independent not-for-profit organization, makes clean, efficient, sustainable energy possible for more Americans through forward-thinking regulatory reform, quality workforce development, and consumer education.

LSU AgCenter’s “Solar Power for Your Home: A Consumer’s Guide”

The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center’s mission is to provide research-based educational information that will improve lives and economic well-being.

The Federal Trade Commission – Solar Power for Your Home

The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer protection agency. The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts® Calculator

NREL is a national lab of the U.S. Department of Energy. NREL’s calculator allows consumers to estimate the energy production and cost of solar photovoltaic systems.