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Author: Amanda Richardson

August 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Central Florida was treated to hot days, rainy afternoons and muggy evenings in August 2022. The average temperature for the month was 84 degrees, which was the same as last month’s average. The average high was 92 degrees while the average low was 75 degrees.

 

SECO Energy August 2022 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in August was 96 degrees and the lowest 72 – the highest daily recorded temperature in July 2022 was also 96 degrees and the lowest was 71. Rainfall was above average in August. The total precipitation for the month was 9.13 inches, well above the July average rainfall of 6.2 inches.

 

Daily high temperatures soared over 90 degrees most days in August – 26 days of the month the daily high temp reached 90 or higher. Expect daily highs to reach into the 90s for the rest of the summer and usually into October.

 

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season has been inactive this year. The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team updated its 2022 Atlantic hurricane season forecast predicting well-above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity. Remember, it only takes one powerful storm to damage electric transmission and distribution infrastructure causing widespread power outages. Have a plan in place for hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to prepare. Essential supplies such as water, gasoline, bread and other non-perishable food sell out quickly. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

September forecast:

 

Expect daily high temperatures to reach into the 90s during September 2022. The threat of a hurricane or tropical storm forming is highest in September. Be alert for any tropical storm or hurricane activity heading toward Central Florida. Daily thunderstorms are forecast throughout the month.

 

With increased daily temperatures, HVAC use increases as well as energy consumption. The EIA calculates the highest amount of electricity consumed in the U.S. is attributed to HVAC use. For Floridians, HVAC use is a longer span (typically early spring to late fall) than in other parts of the country and runs more frequently. It is likely the highest energy user in your home. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer – every degree lower than 78 will increase your monthly bill by 6 to 8%.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

 

IEEE PELS Plan August 31 Webinar with SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn

The IEEE PELS (Power Electronics Society) Women in Engineering (WiE) is hosting a virtual Fireside Chat with SECO Energy SECO Curtis Wynn as an industry advocate for energy and data equity.

 

Redefining the expectations for an industry can feel like an insurmountable or unapproachable task. Curtis Wynn, CEO of SECO Energy, personifies the idea that industry employees should seek to be a catalyst for change. Curtis has dedicated his over 40-year career in electric cooperatives to support equitable access to clean energy, high-speed internet, and economic development to support all members of the not-for-profit cooperatives he has led – especially focusing on programs to assist rural and low-income members.

 

“It’s not easy,” Wynn says. “But I imagine it wasn’t easy to string those first wires, either.” In this fireside chat, Curtis will share how he has been an effective change maker in the energy market through a focus on adopting new technology and the power of developing a strategic vision.

 

As the son of a rural farmer, Curtis Wynn is no stranger to hard work. Growing up he knew that he wanted to work at the local electric co-op and began his career in the industry by washing co-op trucks with future dreams to be a line technician. Working in many roles across the electric co-op ecosystem, he currently leads SECO Energy – the seventh largest cooperative in the nation serving over 220,000 families and businesses in Central Florida. Curtis is also the immediate past president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where he led fellow energy executives through supporting their service regions during the onset of the COVID pandemic.

 

Finding a way to innovate an industry can be difficult. Join the IEEE PELS (Power Electronics Society) Women in Engineering (WiE) upcoming Power at the Table event to hear Curtis Wynn share his lessons. Register for the Power at the Table event on August 31 at 10:30 a.m. EST and learn how Curtis Wynn, a son of a rural farmer with an aspiration to become a line technician not only became the CEO of the seventh largest cooperative in the nation but also became an “Advocate of Energy and Data Equity.”

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

 

 

July 2022 Sunshine State Stats

July 2022 in Central Florida was extremely hot and especially soggy. The average temperature for the month was 84 degrees, which was 1 degree warmer than last month’s average. The average high was 93 degrees while the average low was 76 degrees.

 

July 20222 SECO Energy Sunshine State Stats temps

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in July was 96 degrees and the lowest 71 – the highest daily recorded temperature in June 2022 was 98 degrees and the lowest was 69. Rainfall was above average in July. The total precipitation for the month was 12.31 inches, well above the July average rainfall of 5.67 inches.

 

Daily high temperatures soared over 90 degrees most days in July – 29 days of the month the daily high temp reached 90 or higher. Expect daily highs to reach into the 90s for the rest of the summer and usually into October.

 

Atlantic hurricane season lasts through November 30. While the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team updated its 2022 Atlantic hurricane season forecast predicting well-above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity, the tropics have remained mostly clear early in the season. September is generally the most active month for hurricane and tropical storm activity. Have a plan in place for hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to prepare. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

August forecast:

 

Daily high temperatures will reach into the 90s for most if not all of August 2022. Daily thunderstorms are forecast throughout the month.

 

With increased daily temperatures, HVAC use increases as well as energy consumption. The EIA calculates the highest amount of electricity consumed in the U.S. is attributed to HVAC use. For Floridians, HVAC use is a longer span (typically early spring to late fall) than in other parts of the country and runs more frequently. It is likely the highest energy user in your home. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer – every degree lower than 78 will increase your monthly bill by 6 to 8%.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

 

SECO News August 2022

In June SECO News, I shared details about our current infrastructure expansion and reliability projects in Lake County. This month, I have an update on facilities projects and development in Marion County. 

 

In 2021, SECO Energy welcomed 2,124 new accounts in Marion County. This total accounted for 37% of the 5,770 new services added last year. The influx of new residents and businesses in our area requires SECO to build new infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for reliable energy. We also pledge to maintain our existing system to serve members reliably. 

 

A project nearing completion on the south side of Marion County is the rebuild of our Dallas substation located on Highway 301 near The Villages. This state-of-the-art redesign allows for multiple transmission sources with eight total distribution feeders to serve members in Summerfield, Oxford, Dallas and portions of The Villages. The Dallas substation will serve as a backfeed source for our Villages substation. The rebuild is on schedule for completion in early fall. 

 

Members who live in Stone Creek, On Top of the World and nearby expanding areas will be pleased to know the substation that serves this area, Timberwood, is increasing. Currently, this substation has a single power transformer and four distribution feeders. The footprint expansion will add a second power transformer and increase the number of distribution feeders to six. 

 

In Marion County, 22 new or expanding neighborhood developments are adding residential homesites. The proposed number of homesites for these projects tops 8,000. 

 

Along with residential growth, Marion County is experiencing commercial development. The Florida Crossroads Industrial Commerce Park on Highway 484 is expanding. The new footprint will include three distribution centers, apartments, homesites and a new shopping center with outparcels. Winding Oaks, located south of State Road 200 near SW 66th Street, proposes over 600,000 square feet of retail and automotive sales space. With an additional 400,000 square feet of office/retail space and over 3,000 homesites, Winding Oaks will be an impressive development that will bring jobs and families to the area.  

 

The future Calesa phases are new additions to On Top of the World and include almost 600 single-family homesites. A new high school is also underway in the location. The World Equestrian Center continues to grow by adding a second hotel that will feature 400 larger suite-like rooms. Also proposed is a new 80,000-square-foot restaurant complex, a grab-and-go marketplace, a WEC Florida Health Building and future apartment space. 

 

At SECO Energy, I, along with our Board of Trustees and nearly 400 colleagues, strive to provide safe, affordable and reliable electric service to over 220,000 Central Florida homes and businesses. We are proud to partner with the communities we serve to make Central Florida the thriving region it is. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

SECO News August 2022 Swim into Savings

Swim Into Savings

 

Reduce your pool pump’s run time and dive into energy efficiency! According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at energy.gov, Florida homeowners can reduce energy costs by cutting their pool pump run times almost in half.

 

Pool pumps circulate your pool’s water to mix chemicals and remove debris. Circulate while adding chemicals to evenly distribute throughout the water. Increased circulation doesn’t reduce algae growth – proper cleaning and chemicals do. Screened-in pools gather less debris than pools in the open.

 

In a study by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University, participants reduced their pool pump run time to less than 3 hours per day. Most participants reported they were satisfied with the pool’s water quality.

 

Reduce your pool pump’s daily run time to 3 to 4 hours. If the water isn’t clean, increase the run time in 30-minute increments until the quality improves. That is the optimal pool pump run time.

 

To reduce SECO Energy’s peak load, run your pool pump in the morning – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or at night after 7 p.m. Also, install a pool pump timer to set the run times. Minor changes to reduce your pool’s energy use will lead to lower energy costs.

 

 

SECO News August 2022 SECO Energy Foundation Pennies From Heaven Transition

SECO Energy Foundation – Pennies from Heaven Transition

SECO Energy is enhancing its longstanding Pennies from Heaven program in 2023. The current Pennies program provides bill payment assistance to members and funding for other local worthy causes. In 2023, the Pennies from Heaven “program” will change to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans’ initiatives and public safety.

 

The current Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. Contributions will be tax-deductible and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers. 

 

Foundation dollars may assist in purchasing smart thermostats for those members who can’t afford one or other energy-efficiency improvements that lower consumption. These types of investments help members reduce energy usage – which leads to lower bills and reduces SECO Energy’s peak demand. A reduction in demand reduces SECO’s wholesale power bill, lowers costs for all members and decreases the need to build new power plants. 

 

We’re revising the way members are enrolled in the program. See options to unenroll below if you choose not to participate. For those members already enrolled in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar – thank you! At year-end, you and your fellow members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation. Your bill will continue to be rounded up monthly, and the SECO Energy Foundation will devote the extra pennies toward initiatives like those listed above. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually. 

 

There are five convenient ways to unenroll. Just let us know by December 31, 2022.

1. Email Customer Service
2. Call 352-793-3801
3. Write to us at P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 ATTN: Corp Comm
4. Use the opt-out slip below and mail it with your bill

 

To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation before making your decision, read the SECO Energy Foundation Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for the initiative categories beginning January 4, 2023.

 

SECO News August 2022 Enroll In The Surge Mitigator For A Chance To Win A Generator

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator for a Chance to Win a Generator

 

Florida’s afternoon summer thunderstorms pack a punch. These storms bring heavy rain and lightning that may lead to power surges entering your home from the electric line and through the meter. 

 

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team forecasts a well-above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. These experts predict 20 named storms in 2022 compared to an average of 14.4 named storms between 1991 and 2020. 

 

Surges are powerful increases in voltage that can destroy your home’s appliances and electronics. Surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO facilities, small animals, fallen trees and more. SECO’s meter-based surge arrester, the Surge MitiGator, takes the bite out of damaging surges and spikes. 

 

The MitiGator chomps down on voltage spikes and surges before they damage appliances and cause financial loss. The Surge MitiGator is installed at the meter and the product carries a 15-year warranty.

 

Lease the Surge MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month with a $25 installation fee. Purchase prices range from $349 to $399, and installation is always free.

 

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator program (lease or purchase) for a chance to win a portable generator. Members in a current lease or prior purchase are already eligible to win. We’ll pick a winner in September, October and November. To enroll in the Surge MitiGator program, visit our Surge MitiGator website section and fill out the web form. Good luck!

 

The arrester at the meter is the first step in protection. Point-of-use surge devices should be installed for a home’s electronics and other appliances that run on electric service. Purchase these at your local big box or hardware store. Install as directed.

 

SECO News August 2022 Winners' Circle

Winners’ Circle

 

Congratulations to the five Watch and Win Annual Meeting video winners!

 

James Bowden | Belleview
$500 SECO Energy bill credit

 

Mary Lynn McKenzie | Tavares
$250 SECO Energy bill credit

 

Marvin Witt, Jr. | The Villages
Nest Learning Thermostat

 

Susan Sauer | Inverness
HoneyWell Wi-Fi Thermostat

 

Cristian Flores | Clermont
2021 Apple TV

 

The latest SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger winner is Frank Griswold from Ocala. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section to learn more about the benefits of owning an EV.

 

Read the full August 2022 SECO News online.

 

SECO Energy Foundation – Pennies from Heaven Transition

SECO Energy is enhancing its longstanding Pennies from Heaven program in 2023. The current Pennies program provides bill payment assistance to members and funding for other local worthy causes. In 2023, the Pennies from Heaven “program” will change to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans’ initiatives and public safety.

 

The current Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. Contributions will be tax-deductible and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers.

 

Foundation dollars may assist in purchasing smart thermostats for those members who can’t afford one or other energy-efficiency improvements that lower consumption. These types of investments help members reduce energy usage – which leads to lower bills and reduces SECO Energy’s peak demand. A reduction in demand reduces SECO’s wholesale power bill, lowers costs for all members and decreases the need to build new power plants.

 

We’re revising the way members are enrolled in the program. See options to unenroll below if you choose not to participate. For those members already enrolled in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar – thank you! At year-end, you and your fellow members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation. Your bill will continue to be rounded up monthly, and the SECO Energy Foundation will devote the extra pennies toward initiatives like those listed above. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

 

There are four convenient ways to unenroll. Just let us know by December 31, 2022.

1. Email Customer Service
2. Call 352-793-3801
3. Write to us at P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 ATTN: Corp Comm
4. Use the opt-out slip below and mail it with your bill

 

To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation before making your decision, read the SECO Energy Foundation Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for the initiative categories beginning January 4, 2023.

 

SECO Energy Trustee Joyce Anderson Earns Director Gold Credential

SECO Energy congratulates Board of Trustees Secretary/Treasurer and District 2 Trustee Joyce Anderson on her successful completion of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association’s (NRECA) Director Gold Credential (DGC). The DGC offers a continuing education path for directors/trustees beyond the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) and Board Leadership Certificate (BLC).

 

According to the NRECA, the Director Gold Credential recognizes directors/trustees who desire a tangible credential that demonstrates their ongoing commitment to advancing their knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best of their ability.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative operated for and owned by its members. SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees consists of members who live in SECO’s service area. Trustees are elected to oversee the governance of the cooperative. Each Trustee on SECO Energy’s Board is elected by the members who reside in his/her District. Collectively, the Trustees are responsible for establishing, reviewing and revising corporate policies to ensure that SECO continues to preserve reliable, affordable service for all members.

 

Trustee Anderson resides in Sumterville and was first elected to the SECO Energy Board of Trustees in February 2020. Ms. Anderson currently serves as the Board of Trustees Secretary/Treasurer and has been a SECO member since 2017.

 

Trustee Anderson stated, “Completing the Director Gold Credential from the NRECA is an educational accomplishment that I am proud to hold. The NRECA’s Director/Trustee coursework has helped me carry out my role on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my fellow SECO Energy members and my fellow District 2 members and the membership at large through my Board service.”

 

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn congratulated Trustee Anderson on her educational achievement. Mr. Wynn stated, “Congratulations, Mrs. Anderson, on achieving an educational milestone in earning the Director Gold Credential from the NRECA. SECO Energy thanks you for your commitment to enhancing your energy industry knowledge and putting your skills to work on the Board of Trustees. You and your Board peers are an integral piece of the not-for-profit electric cooperative business model – thank you for your collective service to the SECO Energy membership.”

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

 

June 2022 Sunshine State Stats

June 2022 was hot, hot, HOT! The average temperature for the month was 83 degrees, which was 4 degrees warmer than last month’s average. The average high was 92 degrees while the average low was 73 degrees.

 

June 2022 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in June was 98 degrees and the lowest was 69 – the highest recorded daily temperature in May 2022 was 92 degrees and the lowest recorded daily temperature was 59. Parts of SECO Energy’s service area experienced heavy rain and winds in June while others stayed relatively dry. Rainfall measured 3.2 inches in June 2022, which is almost 3 inches below average.

 

Daily temperatures over 90 degrees were the norm for June – 26 days of the month the daily high temp reached 90 or higher. Summer temperatures are here to stay in Central Florida. Through September and into October, expect daily highs to reach into the 90s with lows in the 60s and 70s.

 

Atlantic hurricane season lasts through November 30. The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team updated its 2022 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. According to these experts, expect well-above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity this season. For 2022, 20 named storms are predicted compared to the average of 14.4 named storms between 1991 and 2020. Now is the time to have a plan in place for hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to prepare. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

July forecast:

 

Daily high temperatures will reach into the 90s for July 2022. Expect almost daily thunderstorms during the first half of the month. Energy consumption increases in the summer months.

 

The EIA calculates the highest amount of electricity consumed in the U.S. is attributed to HVAC use. For Floridians, HVAC use is a longer span (typically early spring to late fall) than in other parts of the country and runs more frequently. It is likely the highest energy user in your home. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer – every degree lower than 78 will increase your monthly bill by 6 to 8%.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

 

Florida Fauna & Flora – Red Snapper

Florida Fauna & Flora: Red Snapper

 

Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that Florida’s 2022 recreational red snapper season opened June 17 and runs consecutively through July 31. Visit myfwc.com for upcoming fall dates.

 

Red snapper in deeper waters tend to be redder than those caught in shallower waters. They have a long triangular face with the upper part sloping more strongly than the lower and earned the name snapper from their enlarged canine teeth. 

 

Age wise, red snapper can live a long time—red snapper as old as 57 years have been reported in the Gulf of Mexico and can grow to 40 inches long and 50 pounds. Females are able to reproduce as early as age 2. Males and females spawn from May to October, depending on their location.

 

Red snapper feed on fish, shrimp, crab, worms, cephalopods (octopus or squid) and some plankton. Young red snapper are food for the large carnivorous fish that share their habitat, such as jacks, groupers, sharks, barracudas, and morays.

 

These fish are generally found at 30 to 620 feet deep in the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern coasts of North America, Central America, and northern South America. They are rare north of the Carolinas.

 

Read the full July 2022 SECO News online.

 

Energy Insider – 2nd Quarter 2022

Renewable energy is beneficial. Advocates believe in harnessing the natural environment to produce electricity for our everyday lives. You may have heard that renewable energy doesn’t harm the planet or nature or contribute to climate change. Is that really the case? This article aims to shed light on not only the benefits, but also some of the prevailing consequences of renewable energy. To have an open dialogue, we must understand that everything has advantages and disadvantages. This article is not meant to support or oppose either side of the energy debate but rather to show the pro et contra (pros and cons) of renewables and the factors to consider when reviewing this type of generation.

 

Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy SECO Energy Insider Q2 2022

 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology began in the mid-1800s and has continued to develop. A technology with zero moving parts that generates electricity is a scientific marvel. Today, you find houses and businesses with rooftop solar or solar fields along highways in Florida with hundreds of panels occupying acres of land meant to produce electricity. Utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike can invest in the energy source and upfront the cost of electricity production. When the sun rises and shines on the solar panel system, it produces electricity. It subsidizes a portion of and sometimes meets daily energy needs. In most cases, minimal maintenance is required after installation. Monitoring systems are available to track hourly, daily, monthly and yearly energy production.

 

The concerns about solar PV systems are multifaceted. Environmentally speaking, harmful substances such as lead, cadmium, silicon tetrachloride and other chemicals are used to produce solar panels. These are not only toxic to humans but are environmentally unhealthy as well. Mining raw earth for toxic elements exposes miners to dangerous substances as well.

 

The top concern environmentally, however, is disposing solar panels after they have reached the end of their useful life. Recycling this product is a task that is discussed more often as more systems are being sold and installed globally. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) indicates that the total waste could be up to 78 million tons by 2050. This doesn’t mean that recycling these materials cannot be done beneficially. Still, rather solar recycling is not economically viable at this point.

 

Another concern about PV systems is their efficiency. In general, solar PV systems are 15 – 22 percent efficient. This leaves a lot of room for improvement. The sun does not shine all day; some days, it may not shine on the solar panels due to cloud coverage. We lack the ability to control the amount of sunlight on solar panels. Because of this lack of control, we must explore other means to produce and/or store energy to fill in the gaps and compensate when production is at a minimum.

 

If you choose to incorporate PV generation in large-scale power production, our advice is to design the system as a supplement and not the main producer. A solar system without utility-backup is only feasible if batteries are used as a storage system for excess energy produced during daylight hours. This will create another set of factors for consideration.

 

Instead of planning to use renewable energy as a sole means of production, it is best to diversify your approach. Renewable energy has advantages and disadvantages. Weigh the cost benefits and the cons of renewable energy before moving forward.

 

 

Jeff Light, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

JEFF LIGHT

Manager of Key Accounts & Revenue Programs
OFFICE: (352) 569-9787
CELL: (352) 250-2863
jeff.light@secoenergy.com

Hank Bolduc, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

HANK BOLDUC

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9789
CELL: (352) 303-3546
hank.bolduc@secoenergy.com

Ryon Meyers, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

RYON MEYERS

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9781
CELL: (352) 636-9593
ryon.meyers@secoenergy.com

SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant Dustin Merritt

DUSTIN MERRITT

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9782
CELL: (352) 303-3183
dustin.merritt@secoenergy.com

 

May 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Summer-like heat and heavy rainfall arrived in Central Florida in May 2022. The average temperature for the month was 79 degrees, which was 6 degrees warmer than last month’s average. The average high was 88 degrees while the average low was 69 degrees.

 

May 2022 Sunshine State Stats temperatures

 

The highest daily recorded temperature in May was 92 degrees and the lowest was 59 – the highest recorded daily temperature in April 2022 was 90 degrees and the lowest recorded daily temperature was 45. May was soggy with higher-than-average rainfall that totaled 8.29 inches, which was over 4 inches above average.

 

High daily temperatures remained near 90 degrees for most of the month. Every day this month reached over 80 degrees – with 11 days over 90 degrees. Summer temperatures are starting to be in full swing, expect daily highs in the 80s, 90s and above. Temperatures at night and early morning are warming up, too. Thirty days in the month the low temperature reached into the 60s and 70s.

 

Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 with potential tropical storm activity In the Gulf of Mexico. Now is the time to have a plan in place for hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching our shores to prepare. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

June forecast:

 

Daily high temperatures will soar over 80 degrees and into the 90s for June 2022. The best chance for rain is early to mid-month. Members may notice an increase in their monthly energy usage during the summer months. HVAC use is the highest percentage of energy use in Central Florida homes. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer – every degree lower than 78 will increase your monthly bill by 6 to 8%.

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a hot and dry June with an average temperature of 82 degrees, which is above average. Rainfall is predicted to be below average.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.