Florida's solar industry slows

Florida has a reputation for being one of the sunniest states in the nation. However, its solar energy industry is in a period of stagnation, due to multiple legislative factors.

The state has an extensive solar-energy program already in existence; it ranks 5th in the United States for the largest solar capacity in electrical grids. Its solar panels can produce 37.8 megawatts (MW) of power, but this still leaves it far behind green energy leaders like California, with 768 MW of solar power, or New Jersey, with 127.5 MW. Additionally, the growth of renewable energy projects in Florida has stalled, with only a few new federally-funded installations planned.

Money has been pointed at as one reason why Florida has begun lagging in the solar energy field. Solar energy does require homeowners and businesses to invest in equipment, and solar energy is about 70 percent more expensive to produce than electricity from coal or gas. However, there are other impediments to the growth of solar power in Florida.

Donations from non-renewable energy industries such as coal, oil, and nuclear power may have swayed some legislators to oppose solar power developments proposed by Governor Charlie Crist. They shot down Crist’s proposal that 20 percent of Florida’s energy come from renewable sources by 2020, despite 26 other states having implemented similar plans, and stopped the funding of rebates for solar panels, even though as many as 16,000 businesses and homeowners had not been reimbursed as promised.

Many of these legislators cite that free-market economics dictates that the government should not have to subsidize certain sources of energy. Earlier this year, they voted in favor of charging consumers for two new nuclear power plants, whether the plants actually are built or not.

However, some smaller government-backed utilities companies in Florida cities are trying out new solar programs on a small scale, so it may only be a matter of time before the state maximizes its usage of one of its greatest resources.