HB741 is dead, thanks to a veto from Governor Ron DeSantis on April 27th, 2022. The bill, which was introduced by Florida Power & Light (FPL) and passed by the Florida Legislature was an attempt to stifle the solar industry and reclaim what the utility feels are “lost revenues” from the 1% of Floridians who make their own power via residential solar.
It was a Bad Bill Based on Speculation, Not Fact
In a letter, DeSantis cited rising prices on groceries and gas and said he did not want to contribute to the financial difficulties everyday Floridians were already facing.
It seems the governor, along with many others, wasn’t buying FPL’s argument that solar customers are being “subsidized” by non-solar customers. He also didn’t trust the clause allowing FPL and other utilities to impose additional fees on solar customers to recoup lost funds, stating that these fees were “speculative and would be borne by all customers.”
Net-Metering Will Continue to Benefit Florida’s Solar Customers and the Industry
What does this mean for solar in Florida? It means that net-metering will remain in place, allowing those who generate clean energy from solar panels to exchange that power 1:1 with their utility. (HB741 sought to do away with that, allowing utilities to credit only a portion of the value of the energy produced.) Net metering is one reason why solar is such a cost-effective option for most homeowners. Doing away with it would have been a disincentive to Floridians wanting to go solar as well as a serious blow to the industry and Florida’s green energy movement.
Rooftop Solar is Good for the State
With this win, homeowners who have been thinking about going solar can move forward with confidence, saving money month over month and avoiding utility rate hikes. They can also feel good about being part of clean energy generation in our state since their excess energy is used to power their neighbors’ homes. Not only that, but solar takes pressure off the grid, actually helping their utility, especially during peak hours.
What You Need to Know About Solar in Florida
- About 75% of Florida’s electricity comes from burning natural gas, and that price has more than doubled in the last year, a cost that is routinely passed along to customers by their utility.
- The solar advocacy group Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FLSEIA) will be looking at ways to get out ahead of similar attacks by utilities in the future. Follow them on social media to keep on top of the issues.
- Federal tax incentives are still in place, with a 26% tax credit for systems placed in service before January 1, 2023 and a 22% tax credit for systems placed in service before January 1, 2024.
- With hurricane season rapidly approaching, adding solar to your home can help protect you from long-term outages from storms.
- Not all solar panels are created equal! At Coronado Solar, we use North American-made Heliene panels, which are high-quality, high-performing, and resilient.
- Not all solar companies are created equal, either. Choose a company with a proven track record, not a fly-by-night entity who might not be here later if you need them. Check out this blog post on 8 mistakes people make when going solar.
We’re pleased with the governor’s decision to veto HB741, and we look forward to continuing to serve our neighbors throughout the state as their trusted, local source for solar installation, maintenance, and information.
Coronado Solar is one of the best solar companies in Florida. With licenses in general contracting and roofing IN ADDITION to our solar license and an A+ rating with the BBB, we pride ourselves on being one of Florida’s premier solar companies. Our solar panels are some of the best in the business for your home and we even offer commercial solar installation. For a free quote, click HERE.