Solar energy is a wonderful thing. I mean, who would not want free electricity? But, although that is a prospect not many people would turn away, it’s the actual cost of getting the solar panels installed in the first place that is putting people off. In some places, kitting out your roof with a sufficient amount of solar panels to power your home could cost as much as a brand new car.
In an attempt to make solar panels more affordable and therefore more accessible to a wider range of people, metering arrangements are in place that allows the buyer to sell the excess electric back to the grid for a premium. But, Florida is not one of those locations that allow any kind of third party ownership, and it has a massive knock on effect as to the number of sales of solar panels there are. They are one of only five states that prohibit this.
Nevada is another state that has taken a harsh view on the solar industry by passing a law that meant utility companies could charge extra for those using rooftop solar power. Not surprisingly, this has pretty much killed the industry there. But, with the new Florida amendment, residents are hoping to turn things around for themselves. The change would mean a compromise between the public, the utilities, and the government, but would allow people to lease but still give utilities a chance to get some of their investment back.
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