Solar Power Loophole Costs Florida Residents

Solar Power Loophole may cost Florida residents

A solar power loophole costs Florida residents more than installing solar panels may be worth.  The state of the legal system in the Sunshine State permits homeowners to sell excess solar power generated on their properties to Florida utilities.  That’s good.  But the law also allows the same utilities to sell it back to residents for twice as much!

Case in point:  the largest privately-owned solar energy system in Florida is a 300-PV panel installation on a ranch owned by Mary Clark.  Clean, renewable energy from the often-present sun should have resulted in an energy savings of $4000 a month for the Sarasota County property.  Even with tax incentives and increased property value, the investment was about half a million for the solar panels.

Instead of a significant savings, the 88-year old Clark is finding herself as the poster child for the flaws in the new law that – ironically – was designed to promote solar power by reimbursing panel owners for the additional energy generated that they do not immediately use.

The fear is that people that otherwise would have been brought to the “solar power table,” homeowners, farmers, and small businesses will likely be discouraged from considering investment in alternative sources that is a key factor in overall adoption of emerging sources and energy independence.

So much potential for solar in Florida:

Solar power ample in Florida

Clark is trying to fight back, but currently to no avail.  Florida Power and Light says that they are “just following the law.”  And that law, enacted in 2008, does not account for properties with more than one electric meter.  By itself, this solar power loophole may prevent people from installing PV panels.  For people like Clark, her solar energy generation is concentrated, while the electrical consumption is widespread.

Unfortunately for Clark (and probably other Florida residents) she thought the Florida utility could combine her separate meter bills into one, and then deduct from that single electricity bill the credits to which she would be entitled for generating excess solar power, at a retail rate of 12 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour).

Standing in the way is a 1969 Florida law that makes it illegal to combine more than one electric meter under a single bill.

Seems like a change in the law is required.  While ordinary people like Clark may try to lobby the legislature, its clear that 88-year old residents cannot effect the necessary revisions to close the solar power loophole by themselves.

Time to call on Florida utilities and other influential groups to help ensure that solar energy is affordable for everyone.

Tags: florida power and light, florida utilities, sell excess solar power to utilities, solar power loophole