Clean-Energy Groups Question FL's Solar Plan
Posted August 15, 2014 07:30 am
TALLAHASSEE, FL - The state's largest energy provider - Florida Power & Light - got the OK this week to ask customers for a $9 donation to fund solar installations in the state.
While the plan, approved by the state's Public Service Commission (PSC), sounds like a step towards cleaner energy, clean energy advocates are questioning the fine print.
Stephen Smith, executive director of the
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, says the energy
generated over the next three years wouldn't amount to
much.
"It really is not a serious effort by the state's
largest utility to grow the solar market," he maintains.
"So we see it more as a public relations program
masquerading as a solar program."
During the recent hearing with the PSC, Florida Power & Light also proposed ending solar rebates for customers, and cutting energy efficiency goals by 98 percent.
In the hearing, the company said the three-year pilot
program is a way for customers to support solar if they
cannot install solar on their homes.
The program is voluntary.
According to the
Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks
third in the country for solar potential, but 12th for
solar capacity installed.
Smith stresses the program is missing the mark.
"And it is not going to create any real solar deployment
in the best solar state in the eastern United States,"
he says. "I mean they don't call Florida the Sunshine
State for nothing."
According to information disclosed at the hearing, up to
20 percent of the money collected will go to its
marketing and administrative costs.
The cost of solar installation on homes and businesses
is on the decrease - falling about 40 percent from 2010.
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