The Power of Partnerships in Energy

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Implementing community-wide energy-saving and clean energy programs for all is a top priority on the necessary path to 100% clean, renewable energy. The goal to reach 100% renewable energy requires strong partnerships, programs, and innovative solutions to deliver equitable results for our community. Despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the County's leadership commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy has achieved the top-ranked County in Florida with the most rooftop solar installed. Uniquely, Orange County has taken a multi-stakeholder approach to coordinate the First 50 Coalition (Coalition), a passionate group of local government staff, community members, elected officials, and industry. Orange County has strategically developed and funded the creation of multiple residential solar programs and energy efficiency programs such as SELF, Florida Solar United Neighbors (SUN), and the Senior Climate Efficiency Program while increasing internal solar installations on municipal facilities. Through these programs, Orange County is increasing its renewable energy portfolio, offsetting energy burdens for residents through low-interest financing and energy efficiency upgrades. In addition, these programs promote solar for homeowners by providing consumers options to purchase solar in bulk and driving down prices to expand renewable energy efforts. 7MW in producing renewable energy on municipal buildings engaged close to 1,000 interested residents through energy efficiency and solar programs and has insisted that homeowners in solar installations produce 3,638 kW of residential solar, generating more than $8.3 million in economic development and has an offset of 56,240 metric tons of carbon.