svec_Oct_2016

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative Lighting the way since 1937

www.svec-coop.com

We’re here to serve

(8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • Monday - Friday, Lobby Hours)

Business Office: 800-447-4509 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Monday - Friday)

Power Outage Reporting (Day, Night, Weekends & Holidays)

Suwannee Valley

currents October 2016

800-752-0025 SERVING THE SUWANNEE VALLEY OWNED BY THOSE WE SERVE 11340 100th Street • Live Oak, FL 32060

facebook.com/sveccoop

@SVEC_COOP_FL

CEO’S COR NER

SVEC encourages you to vote Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Here at SVEC, we care deeply about the communities we serve and want the best for every one of our members. That’s why one of our seven cooperative principles provides for democratic participation that allows all members to have a voice in the decisions we make. But as the presidential election draws closer, it’s troubling to see that not everyone takes advantage of the same opportunity that is offered to them on the national level. In 2012, voter turnout in rural communities dropped by 18 percent — twice the national average.

That means rural America isn’t making its voice heard by our elected officials and candidates, and the issues important to us may not be as important to them. Fortunately, we can change that.

To help drive voter turnout on Election Day, I’m asking all of our employees, friends, family and members to take the pledge to become a “Co-op Voter” and cast their vote on Nov. 8.

Co-ops Vote is a nonpartisan program developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represents the nation’s more than 900 electric cooperatives. The goal is to encourage co-op employees and members like you to get out and vote and to share the issues that matter to co-ops and rural communities with other members and candidates. Whether it’s the continued need for affordable and reliable electricity or broadband internet access, these are important economic development issues we need to share with our leaders.

So, here’s what I’m asking you to do. Visit the Co-ops Vote Continued on Page 4, see MANAGER

Managing your account is easy with SmartHub SVEC continually works to improve the member experience. We want to make it easy for members to do business with us when it fits their schedule, and one way we do that is through the SmartHub app.

SmartHub is a convenient tool that helps members manage their electric account on the go. Members can log in from their computer, tablet or smartphone and have full control of their electric account from anywhere.

One of SmartHub's most popular features is the ability to track your usage, whether over a specific day or a period of months, to see when you're using the most electricity. You can also pay your bill, report outages and even sign up for notifications any time your account changes, all from your computer or mobile device.

For example, after selecting the icon for reporting an outage, you'll see a screen that lists any known outages in your area

and an option to report your own. Enter your address, or authorize your phone to send it automatically, and choose “Submit.”

Our team will be notified of your outage and start restoring power quickly so you can get back to your life.

SmartHub brings the convenience of modern technology to your electric account. Download the app today to find out how easy it is to manage your account on your terms. 

Sign up for SmartHub today!

Don’t have SmartHub? Signing up is easy. Simply download the app from your phone’s app store or scan the QR code printed below for an Apple or Android smartphone. With the app open, just sign up using your email address and you’ll be ready to go.

To access the SmartHub app on an iPhone or iPad, simply scan this QR code with your device.

To access the SmartHub app on an Android device, simply scan this QR code with your device.

What

Amendment 1

SOLAR in Florida

means for

With the presidential election upcoming, it can be easy to forget that there is another vote this November that could have important implications for SVEC and our members. Amendment 1, or what has become known as “The Solar Amendment,” concerns a new solar power initiative for the state of Florida.

What is Amendment 1?

The new measure guarantees the right of Florida’s citizens to have solar panels on their home if they choose to invest in them. It also puts that right into Florida’s state constitution, protecting it from the influence of politicians and special interests.

The amendment is sponsored by Consumers for Smart Solar, a bipartisan coalition of businesses and civic leaders led by former Republican State Representative Jim Ballinger and former Democratic State Representative Dick Batchelor. Their aim is to do solar the right way, protecting consumers from scams, rip-offs and long-term contract traps.

When members vote this November, the language for Amendment 1 on the ballot will read: “This amendment establishes a right under Florida’s constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.”

What does Amendment 1 do?

If voted into the Constitution, Amendment 1 would do three things:

IS SOLAR As with any major investment, there are a lot of factors that go into determining whether solar panels are the right choice for your home when it comes to saving money.

Cooperatives across the country are facing challenges when it comes to fuel costs, plant modifications and improvements, and government regulations. In order to keep reliability high and electricity costs low, SVEC’s power comes from a variety of sources, including coal, natural gas and renewables such as methane harvested from landfills and hydroelectric power.

In an attempt to save more on power costs, some of our members have opted to produce a portion of their electricity with solar energy, using a photovoltaic (PV) system. While solar energy has become a popular way to offset energy costs, PV systems are a sizable investment and may not be the best way to save money for everyone.

If you’re considering solar energy, SVEC encourages you to be cautious when speaking to third parties about installing solar panels. You should also be sure to familiarize yourself with the Renewable Generator Rider Tariff and Interconnection Agreement, which can be found on our website, and consider the following factors when making a decision.

1.

Guarantee your right to put solar panels on your home and allow individuals and businesses to own and lease their own solar equipment.

What inspections or certifications are required before my PV system can be connected to the SVEC grid?

2.

Apply the same consumer safeguards to solar energy that exist for other energy sources, protecting you from fraudulent practices such as long-term contract traps and overbilling.

A local code official needs to inspect any PV system and certify that installation has been approved, and that the sys-

3.

Establish that all electricity consumers are treated fairly. Solar isn’t for everyone, and Amendment 1 would ensure people who don’t install solar panels are not forced to subsidize those who do.

Florida is one of the top-ranked states for solar power potential, and yet the state ranks just 13th in solar power generation nationwide. Amendment 1 would promote increased use of solar power by protecting solar rights in Florida and would create greater certainty for those considering an investment in solar by being a part of the Constitution.

We can help

THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU? tem meets all electrical and mechanical requirements, before it can be connected to the SVEC grid. The cooperative must receive written certification before the system begins operation.

Members must also send SVEC equipment specifications confirming that the system meets IEEE, national and state standards. You are responsible for regularly inspecting, maintaining and testing the system, but SVEC can inspect the system with reasonable notice if it chooses to.

Besides purchasing and installing a PV system, are there other expenses associated with connecting it to SVEC’s grid?

How does the cooperative measure how much power my system generates?

Once the PV system is set up, SVEC will install a net energy meter that keeps track of how much power your PV system produces. Each month, the amount of power generated by the system will be measured by the net meter and credited back to your bill. If the system generates more power than your home uses, the excess credit is carried over to the next month. Any unused credit still remaining at the end of the year can either be rolled over to the next year or paid back in accordance with the Renewable Generator Rider Tariff.

Any member installing a PV system for their home must have Personal Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance as part of the Interconnection Agreement with SVEC. The cooperative also charges a one-time, nonrefundable processing fee. For systems with an output of 10 kW or less, there is a $100 fee. If the system’s output is greater than 10 kW, the fee will be calculated based on the size of the system.

How much power can my system produce?

Any system connected to SVEC’s grid cannot output more than 100 kW of alternating current (AC). It is also important for members to recognize that solar energy is an intermittent energy source, meaning it will not be available at all times. Anyone with a PV system installed will still need to rely on SVEC’s power, provided by Seminole Electric Cooperative, during periods when solar energy is not available to them.

If you’re considering purchasing a solar panel system, don’t make a costly investment before getting all the facts. Call 800-447-4509 or 386-362-2226 for more information, and review SVEC’s Renewable Generator Rider Tariff and Interconnection Agreement at svec-coop.com/renewable-energy.html before applying for interconnection with SVEC.

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MONTH

Say goodbye to monthly bills with ...

MYCHOICE Prepaid Billing

Our members are at the heart of each of the seven cooperative principles that define SVEC, and nowhere is that more clear than at events like our annual meeting, held every spring. We hope you’ll all join us in celebrating the important role of cooperatives during National Cooperative Month this October.

Tired of late fees and making one large utility payment every month? MyChoice Prepaid Billing tracks energy usage daily and lets members pay for electricity when they want, in the amount they want. MyChoice members can:

Make smaller weekly or biweekly payments when they choose.

Customize their payment schedule.

7 Cooperative Principles VOLUNTARY AND OPEN MEMBERSHIP - A cooperative is a voluntary organization, open to all people who are able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.

DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL - A cooperative is a democratic organization controlled by its members who are given opportunities to actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

MEMBERS' ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION - Members contribute to the capital of their cooperative. This capital is used to operate the cooperative, and it benefits the member in proportion to the amount of business they do with the cooperative.

AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE - No matter what agree-

ments cooperatives may enter with other organizations,

Track energy usage through the SmartHub app.

its members maintain control and the cooperative remains independent.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION - Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative.

COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES - Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national and international organizations.

CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY - While focusing on member

needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.

Prepaid program members even tend to use less electricity, thanks to an increased awareness of their usage patterns.

Learn more and sign up for MyChoice today at:

svec-coop.com/mychoice.html

MANAGER, continued from front

So, here’s what I’m asking you to do. Visit the Co-ops Vote website at www.vote.coop and take the pledge to become a Co-op Voter. It’s quick and easy, and by doing so you’ll be joining co-op members across the country in sending a powerful message: America’s electric cooperatives are voting in 2016, and we expect our elected leaders to address the issues facing co-ops and rural communities.

There are 42 million electric cooperative members in 47 states across the country. Together, we can stand as a powerful voice in this year’s elections. I hope you’ll join me in taking the pledge and going to the polls in November. 

VISIT VOTE.COOP TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CO-OP VOTER.