Sunprint
The short answer
OUC changed how it pays solar customers in 2025. New systems get a much lower credit for power sent to the grid than older ones, and full retail credit for newer systems lasts only through October 31, 2026. So what a system saves depends a lot on how much of its output you use at home.
At about 15.2 cents per kWh, a $300 monthly bill needs roughly 12 to 15 kW of solar to cover most of your use, and a $400 bill needs roughly 16 to 20 kW. OUC serves Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of Orange and Osceola counties.
What a kWh is worth here, in cents
The home figure is OUC's first-tier price before taxes. Older systems connected by June 30, 2025 keep the full retail credit through 2045.
What OUC charges
Here is OUC's residential rate schedule, effective October 1, 2025. Add the columns to see what each kWh costs before taxes and fees.
| Charge, cents per kWh | First 1,000 kWh | Over 1,000 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Non-fuel base charge | 6.783 | 9.283 |
| Fuel charge | 4.767 | 4.767 |
| Total per kWh | about 11.55 | about 14.05 |
On top of that there is a customer charge of $18.50 a month, which is also OUC's minimum bill. City and county taxes and the state gross receipts tax are added. Our calculator uses OUC's average rate from federal EIA data, about 15.2 cents per kWh.
What changes in November 2026
OUC's DemandLevel pricing adds a fixed monthly charge based on your highest 15-minute peak of power use in the month, and lowers the price per kWh in return. OUC describes the change as revenue neutral overall. Its rates page lists these residential tiers as effective November 2026, pending approval by the Florida Public Service Commission:
| Peak demand | Residential monthly charge |
|---|---|
| 0 to 7.999 kW | $5 |
| 8 to 11.999 kW | $10 |
| 12 kW or more | $15 |
What OUC pays for solar power
OUC's net metering program is called TruNet Solar. What you are credited for power you send to the grid depends on when your system was connected.
| Your system | Credit for power sent to the grid |
|---|---|
| Connected, or application approved, by June 30, 2025 | Full retail rate through June 30, 2045 |
| Newer systems, through October 31, 2026 | Full retail rate during a temporary grace period |
| Newer systems, November 2026 to June 30, 2030 | Community Solar Energy rate, about 4.6 cents per kWh |
| Newer systems, from July 1, 2030 | Retail levelized fuel rate |
From November 1, 2026, OUC credits the excess solar energy in the billing period it is generated, instead of rolling credits forward. If a balance is left after your charges are covered, it carries forward to future bills.
OUC solar credit timeline
What that means in numbers
OUC's own billing example shows the idea. If your panels make 1,000 kWh and only 400 kWh goes to the grid, the other 600 kWh was used in your home. Here is an example, not a quote, using OUC's first-tier price of about 11.55 cents. The 600 kWh you use yourself avoid buying power, worth about $69. The 400 kWh you send out earn about 4.6 cents each, roughly $18. The total is about $88, compared with about $116 if every kWh were worth the retail rate.
Batteries and OUC
With a low credit for exports, using your own solar power is worth more, which is where a battery comes in. OUC offers an optional battery storage rebate. To qualify, you give up eligibility for the TruNet Full Retail Rate, currently 10.7 cents per kWh for residential customers, on any energy you export. Check OUC's rebate page for the current amounts and terms.
What a monthly OUC bill needs
These sizes use about 15.2 cents per kWh and a system that covers 75 to 95 percent of yearly use. Savings and the bill left over use the PSC's December 2025 figures for OUC, whose $18.50 customer charge is also its minimum bill. OUC's proposed DemandLevel charge, pending PSC approval, isn't included.
| Monthly bill | System size | Savings a year if you use it all at home | Bill left each month |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 a month | 7.7 to 9.8 kW | $1,670 to $2,080 | $27 to $61 |
| $300 a month | 11.8 to 14.9 kW | $2,620 to $3,230 | $31 to $81 |
| $400 a month | 15.8 to 20.1 kW | $3,580 to $4,380 | $35 to $102 |
| $500 a month | 19.9 to 25.2 kW | $4,530 to $5,530 | $39 to $123 |
These are planning numbers, not a quote, before taxes and local fees. For newer systems, power left over in a billing period earns OUC's Community Solar Energy rate, about 4.6 cents, against 11.6 to 14.1 cents a kWh on your bill, so every 1,000 kWh left over is worth about $70 to $95 less than the table shows.
How to connect solar to OUC
OUC's steps start after your system is installed:
- Get quotes and choose a contractor. OUC recommends at least four quotes, and using one of its Preferred Contractors is not required.
- Pull the required permits and install the system to OUC's interconnection requirements.
- After the final permit inspection, your contractor submits an interconnection application through OUC's online portal. Mailed or emailed applications are not accepted.
- OUC reviews it and, if approved, reconfigures your meter. In rare cases it swaps in a bidirectional meter.
The application needs a passed permit inspection or certificate of completion, a signed itemized invoice, and an electrical one-line diagram. Tier 2 and Tier 3 systems also need proof of insurance and payment. Fees are $0 for systems up to 10 kW, $340 above 10 kW to 100 kW, and $1,300 above 100 kW, measured by the AC rating. OUC also says the system's capacity should not exceed the home's energy needs.
Permits by area
| Where | Permits OUC lists for rooftop solar |
|---|---|
| City of Orlando | Building and electrical permit |
| Orange County | Electrical permit |
| St. Cloud | Electrical permit |
| Osceola County | Building and electrical permit |
Buying a home with solar
The interconnection agreement stays with the property, but the rate does not. If you took over the account after June 30, 2025, you are not grandfathered, and your credit rate is based on the date the account was activated or transferred. Homes where the new owner took possession and set up the account by June 30, 2025 keep the full retail rate through June 30, 2045.
Rebates and tax credits
As of December 31, 2025, the 30 percent federal homeowner credit is gone. Our Florida incentives guide shows which incentives remain.
Which utility do I have?
Your bill names your utility. Duke Energy Florida serves other parts of the Orlando area, and it bills solar homes differently. Read our Duke guide if that is you, or compare every utility we cover at solar by utility.
Your estimate in three steps
- Enter your billYour ZIP, utility and last month's bill.
- See your estimateA yearly savings range for your home.
- Choose what's nextAsk for a quote call, or just keep the number.
See what solar could save you
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Common questions
How much solar do I need with OUC?
At about 15.2 cents per kWh, a $300 monthly bill needs roughly 12 to 15 kW of solar and a $400 bill needs roughly 16 to 20 kW. With OUC's lower credit for power sent to the grid, how much you use at home changes what that system saves.
Is solar worth it with OUC?
It depends on when your system connects. Newer systems get full retail credit through October 31, 2026, then about 4.6 cents per kWh through June 2030, so most of the value comes from power you use at home. OUC also offers an optional battery rebate. Compare our estimate, which is a top end at OUC, with each quote.
What does OUC pay for solar power sent to the grid?
It depends on when you connected. Systems connected, or with approved applications, by June 30, 2025 get the full retail rate through June 30, 2045. Newer systems get the full retail rate only during a grace period through October 31, 2026, then OUC's Community Solar Energy rate, about 4.6 cents per kWh, through June 30, 2030, and the retail levelized fuel rate after that.
Are older OUC solar systems grandfathered?
Yes, if the system was connected, or its interconnection application approved, by June 30, 2025. Those customers keep the full retail rate through June 30, 2045, and adding panels later does not affect that status.
If I buy a home with solar in OUC territory, do I get the retail rate?
Not if you took over the account after June 30, 2025. OUC says homes sold after that date are not grandfathered, and the new owner's rate is based on the date the account is activated or transferred.
How do I connect solar to OUC?
OUC's process starts after installation. You get quotes and install with the required permits, and after the final permit inspection your contractor submits an interconnection application through OUC's online portal. OUC then reconfigures your meter or swaps in a bidirectional one.
Is there a fee to connect solar to OUC?
OUC's fees are based on the array's AC rating. Tier 1, from 0 to 10 kW, has no fee. Tier 2, over 10 kW to 100 kW, is $340. Tier 3, over 100 kW to 2 MW, is $1,300. Paying by card adds a $5 or $10 fee.
How big a system does OUC allow?
OUC says the capacity of the system should not exceed the energy needs of the home.
Does OUC offer a battery rebate?
Yes, an optional one. To qualify, you give up eligibility for the TruNet Full Retail Rate, currently 10.7 cents per kWh for residential customers, on any energy you export to OUC's grid.
What is OUC DemandLevel pricing?
It adds a fixed monthly charge of $5, $10 or $15 for residential customers, depending on your peak demand, along with a lower price per kWh. OUC's rates page lists it as effective November 2026, pending approval by the Florida Public Service Commission.
Will I still pay an OUC customer charge with solar?
Yes. OUC says you are billed at least the electric customer charge each month, along with any consumption you still buy, plus water and other services and taxes.
Related guides
- How much solar do I need for a $300 to $700 electric bill?
- How much electricity does a 10, 15 or 20 kW solar system produce?
- Florida solar incentives: what is still available
- Solar in Central Florida
- Florida net metering explained: why credits vary so much
- How to check a solar company in Florida
Sources: OUC electric rates, October 2025 (PDF) · OUC service rates and costs · OUC rooftop solar and TruNet Solar · American Public Power Association on OUC PeakSHIFT · Florida PSC comparative rate statistics, December 31, 2025 (PDF) · U.S. EIA Form 861 utility data, 2024 and 2025 early release
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