Energy amendments spotlight solar
Voters to decide on Amendment 1 in November
Supporters of the amendment say it is only intended to protect consumers from scam artists and contract traps and to ensure everyone pays their fair share.
Solar energy is getting more attention than ever in Florida thanks to two ballot measures this election season.
But the attention isn’t translating into increased sales just yet, solar providers say, citing fear among potential customers that solar systems will become more expensive to own if Amendment1, the utility industry-backed “Smart Solar” measure, wins a “yes” vote onNov. 8.
Opponents contend passage of Amendment1 would give utilities legal standing to seek surcharges for solar customers to connect to the power grid, or to change the state lawthat requires utilities to pay solar households full retail prices for surplus electricity sent back to the grid.
Supporters of the amendment say it is only intended to protect consumers from scam artists and contract traps and to ensure everyone pays their fair share. PeterWilliams,
Requiring utilities to credit solar users for excess energy generated, called “net metering,” helps defray the cost of residential solar systems by reducing customers’ power bills compared to what theywould paywithout solar. Other incentives include a 30 percent federal tax credit for new units. Rooftop solar systems are also exempt fromproperty taxes. Rapidly falling costs have brought the price of typical household systems down 400 percent since 2009, to about $20,000, said Peter Williams, a marketing representative for Florida Solar One, a Fort Lauderdale equipment supplier and installer. The 30 percent tax credit brings the price down to $14,000, but if utilities are allowed to impose surcharges to connect to the grid, much of the incentive for going solarwould be lost, Williams said.
“A lot of potential customers are on standby,” he said. “Theywant to go solar and help the environment and become