Transfers, reconnections and disconnections of service typically require notice of one business day. However, depending on weather and outage-related situations, requests could take up to three business days.
No, only a member of record may register and/or vote at a District or Annual Meeting. The member’s spouse may register and/or vote in place of the member, even if the spouse has not been added to the account as an additional contact. Remember to bring a government-issued photo ID to meetings for identity verification. Only one vote (registration) per member(ship) regardless of the number of active SECO accounts.
SECO allows members (after identity authentication) to add an additional contact/account manager to their account(s). For identity verification purposes, a Member Services representative will require the additional contact’s full personal information directly from the contact. The additional contact may make certain account-related inquiries and changes such as mailing address, billing inquiries (i.e., bill amount, due date, usage), request payment arrangements, make payments, report service problems and more.
Cooperatives are owned by the members who use its services. When you apply for service with SECO Energy, you become a member-owner. SECO is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, as such, we generally have an excess of revenues over expenses. This excess, called Capital Credits, is allocated annually to members based on their energy purchases during the year. For more information see Capital Credits.
Individual Membership: Permission to start or disconnect service, billing and charges inquiries and online account access is available to the individual member of record only. However, you can add an account manager (for example: Spouse). See the question below referencing “add an additional contact.” This membership type accrues allocated Capital Credits in the individual member’s name on all of his/her SECO accounts.
Joint-Membership: Permission to start or disconnect service (requires full authentication for both members), billing and charges inquiries and online account access is granted to both members of record who must be spouses. For this membership type, spouses jointly accrue allocated Capital Credits on their joint membership (on all SECO accounts in both names). Please note: With a joint membership, the heir (spouse) receiving all applicable Capital Credits at a discounted lump sum is not an option.
The SSN and DOB are necessary to process a utility score check via Equifax to determine if the deposit can be waived. SECO also relies on Equifax for verification to protect against identity theft and fraud. If you prefer not to provide your personal information, apply by visiting a local Member Service Center, present a government-issued photo ID and pay the required deposit prior to service connection. To prevent unauthorized use, a DL number or other government-issued ID number is requested as an extra layer of account security. If necessary SECO may request confirmation of the ID number to prevent fraudulent activity.
To reconnect or transfer residential electric service with established facilities, click on the orange button above. You will be re-directed to SECO Energy’s SmartHub portal to confirm the service address. Have your full Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth (DOB), and driver license (DL) number (or other government-issued ID number, if applicable), as well as contact information (Full Authentication includes: Complete SSN, DOB and Driver License Number).
For Residential or Agriculture new services with no established facilities, download and complete the Single-Site Residential or Agricultural Notification of New Construction. Commercial or Industrial accounts without established electric facilities, apply using the Commercial/Industrial Notice of New Construction. If the Commercial or Industrial account has current electric service, email New Construction to begin the application.
Florida is inundated with solar contractors. Choosing a reputable contractor can be a confusing process. The Florida Solar Energy Industries Association provides a list of solar contractors in your area.
SECO Energy recommends choosing a contractor who is licensed and insured. Visit Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to verify a contractor’s license.
Conduct thorough research about the contractor. Read the reviews posted on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List. Visit the contractor’s website and read the reviews on their Facebook page. Ask your friends or neighbors for a recommendation or try your local NextDoor.com platform.
Choose at least three contractors to quote your solar project. The contractor should review your average utility consumption before sizing your solar system (number of panels). You can print copies or save PDFs of historical bills from SmartHub. The contractor should provide a detailed cost breakdown, return on investment, maintenance schedule and realistic figures on the amount of energy installed panels will produce.
Check your contractor’s math. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Solar panels do not produce power during nighttime, during cloudy afternoon thunderstorms and chilly early mornings. Utility-supplied power from SECO stands ready during these times.
During a utility outage, interconnected solar systems without a battery back-up are inoperable. This is a necessary safety precaution to stop power backfeed from solar systems onto SECO facilities that could injure or kill utility workers.
Solar panels weigh three to five pounds per square foot. Ensure your roof can withstand the weight of all panels and supporting structures combined.
If your roof is damaged or needs replacement, resolve before a solar system installation. If the roof has to be replaced later, the solar array must be removed and reinstalled.
No, your solar system is inoperable during a power outage since it is interconnected with SECO’s system. This is a built-in safety feature. The use of a battery back-up system or a Sunny Boy Inverter is the exception.
