Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed into law a new energy bill that is aimed at reducing energy costs for Floridians. The bill, known as the Energy Freedom Act, includes a number of provisions that are designed to make solar energy more affordable and accessible.
One of the key provisions of the bill is that it will require utilities to give net metering credits to customers who install solar panels. Net metering is a system that allows customers to sell the excess electricity that their solar panels generate back to the utility. This can help to offset the cost of the solar panels and reduce the customer’s electricity bill.
“Solar power is the last energy resource that isn’t owned yet – nobody taxes the sun yet.”
Bonnie Raitt
The bill also includes a number of other provisions that are designed to promote solar energy, such as:
- Excluding solar panels from the state’s property tax
- Providing tax breaks for businesses that install solar panels
- Creating a new solar energy loan program
- Requiring utilities to install more solar panels
Resources
The Energy Freedom Act is a positive step forward for Florida and its residents. The bill is expected to make solar energy more affordable and accessible, which will create jobs, boost the economy, and help to reduce Florida’s reliance on fossil fuels.
- Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA): https://www.flaseia.org/
- Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC): https://www.fsec.ucf.edu/
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): https://www.seia.org/
- U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO): https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/
