The renewable energy bill
the House has evidently decided to kill last year,
was not a
surprise bill sprung on the public
at the last minute.
Backlog slows solar push
Residents, experts fear incomplete solar
rebate process hurts industry
BY PATRICK PETERSON • and WAYNE T. PRICE •
September 11, 2010
While Brevard County is working to attract a
company to do research on photovoltaic
technology, the state may be undermining the effort
by failing to pay more than $54 million in rebates
for solar installations.
The black eye caused by the failure to pay the
rebates could get even more painful if citizens head
to court.
Rockledge resident Harold K. Burke, 63, is
considering taking legal action to recover a
$19,968 rebate from the state for a photovoltaic
electric generating system and a solar water heater
for his home that cost him $42,432.
He's recovered about $9,500 in rebates from the
federal government and from Florida Power & Light.
His 2-year-old system to capture solar energy
works fine, but the rebate system, which quickly ran
out of money, didn't perform up to specification.
"This is not ended," Burke said. "I'm following this
up as far as I can go."
The state's failure to pay Burke's rebates and
thousands of others may stifle the Sunshine State's
promising solar industry. He is one of an estimated
15,000 residents who applied for the solar rebate
the legislature has failed to fully fund.
"The oversubscription to the rebate is an indication
that people are ready to participate, begging to
participate," said M.J. Soileau, vice president for
research and commercialization at University of
Central Florida .
Soileau and other officials are working on a
proposal to lure a photovoltaic research consortium
to an unused factory in Palm Bay. While the rebate
hasn't come up as an issue for the research center,
other manufacturers are balking at the state's lack of
support for alternative energy sources.
"Florida's lack of energy policy comes up all the
time," Soileau said. "Those companies are building
manufacturing plants where there's market certainty.
An energy policy will establish market certainty."
Soileau added that he believes state leaders are
recognizing the economic benefit in providing state
support for solar energy, which can bring
manufactures to the state.
"It should strictly be an economic issue," he said.
Solar energy likely will be cost effective within five
years, and more support for the industry on a
statewide level could help Brevard solar energy
businesses.
J.W. Jones, general manager of PowerShift Solar in
Melbourne, which offers a variety of solar products
for home and commercial use, said that rebates for
solar installations are necessary to interest
consumers in the technology. Growing consumer
interest, in turn, could help put pressure on the
state to develop an energy policy.
"The solar industry is not playing on a level field,
and I don't think most people know that," Jones said.
"Fossil fuel generation receives huge subsidies from
the government far in excess of what solar receives.
If you removed all the subsidies on both sides
tomorrow, solar electricity would be cheaper than
every other energy source except coal."
And fully funding solar rebates could assist the
industry in becoming established in the state.
Jacque Wirth, director of sales at the Solar Energy
Systems of Brevard in Melbourne, said the company
has been honest with customers about the
precariousness of state rebate money, and that's
made the systems harder to sell.
"Not everyone is a candidate for a $20,000
(photovoltaic) system, but many home and business
owners have begun looking to solar as they re-think
their current portfolios and re-invest those dollars
into their own homes and businesses," Wirth said.
Contact Peterson at 242-3673 or
ppeterson@floridatoday.com.
time," Soileau said. "Those companies are building
manufacturing plants where there's market certainty.
An energy policy will establish market certainty."
Soileau added that he believes state leaders are
recognizing the economic benefit in providing state
support for solar energy, which can bring
manufactures to the state.
"It should strictly be an economic issue," he said.
Solar energy likely will be cost effective within five
years, and more support for the industry on a
statewide level could help Brevard solar energy
businesses.
J.W. Jones, general manager of PowerShift Solar in
Melbourne, which offers a variety of solar products
for home and commercial use, said that rebates for
solar installations are necessary to interest
consumers in the technology. Growing consumer
interest, in turn, could help put pressure on the
state to develop an energy policy.
"The solar industry is not playing on a level field,
and I don't think most people know that," Jones said.
"Fossil fuel generation receives huge subsidies from
the government far in excess of what solar receives.
If you removed all the subsidies on both sides
tomorrow, solar electricity would be cheaper than
every other energy source except coal."
And fully funding solar rebates could assist the
industry in becoming established in the state.
Jacque Wirth, director of sales at the Solar Energy
Systems of Brevard in Melbourne, said the company
has been honest with customers about the
precariousness of state rebate money, and that's
made the systems harder to sell.
"Not everyone is a candidate for a $20,000
(photovoltaic) system, but many home and business
owners have begun looking to solar as they re-think
their current portfolios and re-invest those dollars
into their own homes and businesses," Wirth said.
Contact Peterson at 242-3673 or
ppeterson@floridatoday.com.
For Immediate Release, May 1, 2009
Contact: John Wark (850) 321-6490
54,000 -180,000
JOBS LOST!
That's the estimated number of new jobs in renewable energy being left on the table
by the Florida House as the 2009 Legislature draws to a close. This, at a time when
800,000 Floridians are out of work!
The renewable energy bill the House has evidently decided to kill this year was not a
surprise bill sprung on the public at the last minute.
SB 1154 has its roots in a proposal that was carefully crafted over a period of more than
a year. It is the result of study, discussion, reflection and public hearings involving the
governor, the Legislature (which asked the PSC in the previous year to come up with
the basic proposal to create a renewable energy plan), the Florida Public Service
Commission (PSC), the PSC staff, a respected top-tier national energy consultant hired
by the PSC, House and Senate energy committees (in the run-up to the current
session) and stakeholders through the renewable energy industry, including members of
REAL (an alliance of solar, biomass and clean energy advocates) and the stateʼs
investor-owned utilities.
The news of the past week provides a telling backdrop and context for the inexplicable
inaction in the House:
Today, the St. Petersburg Times today is reporting that Progress Energyʼs $17 billion
nuclear project has been delayed by 20 months.
This past week, the Orlando Sentinel reported that a solar-equipment manufacturer
intends to build a plant and headquarters just outside Orlando that would create 3,600
“high-wage” jobs over the next six years.
“In the face of such news one wonders just what in the heck is the Florida Legislature
thinking?” said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean
Energy.
“This legislation is designed to accomplish two central purposes,” he added. “First, it
creates incentives for companies like the one in Ohio that intends to move to Orlando to
come and invest in renewable energy in Florida. Second, it provides a very workable
and practical plan for the state to better meet urgent current and future energy needs.”
The House has one more day in which to act. We again urge it to take up the Senate bill
and pass it. Give the people clean, renewable energy and thousands upon thousands of
virtually guaranteed, high-wage jobs.
RENEWABLE ENERGY ALLIANCE
"REAL Solutions for Florida's Energy Needs"
House
Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007
- Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research and development program to provide lower cost and more viable thermal energy storage technologies to enable the shifting of electric power loads on demand and extend the operating time of concentrating solar power electric generating plants.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to: (1) integrate concentrating solar power into regional electricity transmission systems, identifying new transmission or transmission upgrades needed to bring electricity from high concentrating solar power resource areas to growing electric power load centers throughout the United States; and (2) reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems
Directs the Secretary to establish:
(1) a competitive grant program in the Office of Solar Energy Technologies to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy products;
(2) a research and development program to assist in demonstration and commercial application of direct solar renewable energy sources to provide alternatives to traditional power generation for lighting and illumination, including light pipe technology;
(3) a research, development, and demonstration program to promote less costly and more reliable decentralized distributed solar-powered air conditioning for individuals and businesses; and (4) a program of grants to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology.
Authorizes appropriations for all these programs for FY2008-FY2010
States Considering Renewable Energy Payments
Florida
In 2007, Florida Governor Crist issued several Executive Orders to reduce Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy. He created a State Environmental Task Force to review various policy options for achieving these goals. Team members will create a Florida Climate Change Action Plan which will include strategy and proposed legislation for consideration during the 2008 Legislative Session and beyond (Executive Orders 2007 News Release). The task force will report its final recommendations in October 2008. Environmental Defense Fund is sponsoring a white paper on renewable energy policies for Florida which will also include a study of feed-in tariffs for the state (Rickerson, 2008) While it is likely that solar legislation will be introduced in 2009, it is unclear whether the State will pursue a Renewable Energy Certificate program or a Renewable Energy Payment. Join the movement in Florida by becoming part of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy!
In March 2008, the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) endorsed a legislative policy effort to adopt a Renewable Energy Payment mechanism. The FlaSEIA Board of Directors unanimously concluded that the most cost-effective legislative policy tool to deliver the rapid deployment of solar energy, while ensuring a healthy and sustainable industry in Florida, are energy feed-in payments (FlaSEIA Endorsement Letter PDF). Since FlaSEIA's decision to endorse Florida feed-in tariffs, several other organizations have followed suit: Maryland-DC-Virginia SEIA Endorsement Letter; SolarWorld California Endorsement Letter; Solar Power Partners Endorsement Letter; Environmental Defense Endorsement Letter.
In the second half of 2008 FARE engaged the Public Service Commission in their recommendation process, and in the past six months they have changed their position from adamantly behind a tradable SREC policy to now engaging in a steadily increasing dialogue about a REP/FIT systems to address projects under a certain size under a Standard Offer Contract umbrella.
In the 1st quarter of 2009, the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy (FARE) created an overwhelming buzz and understanding of a FIT policy where none existed even 6 months prior. In February, FARE hosted a delegation from the EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry Association) in conjunction with their "Effective Renewable Energy Policies" conference. The EPIA delegation, whose members represent over 80% of the worlds solar production, participated in a whirlwind tour of the State's capitol, visiting with over 30 legislators in 2 days. Time and again, the executive officers of the world's largest solar companies stressed to lawmakers the direct correlation between the growth of their companies and the implementation of a feed-in tariff in Germany and other European countries. Read more.
Having addressed what the future of Florida's renewable energy industry could look like, FARE next focused on what today's industry was made of. FARE held a lobby day in March, bringing hundreds of renewable energy advocates and small businesses to flood the State's capitol with the message that they too deserve a seat at the table when lawmakers determine the shape of renewable energy legislation.
In addition to their Lobby Day, FARE launched a Renewable Energy tour, hosting 5 town hall meetings in 5 days all across the state, sharing their message with hundreds of Floridians and recruiting more and more dedicated advocates to their cause. Read more.
Also in early March, FARE hosted Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey, who testified in front of both the House and Senate Energy Committees and held private meetings with Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, and over a dozen individual legislators. Mr. Woolsey testified to the importance of a secure and reliable energy grid, and went on to say the distributed generation that would result from a feed-in tariff policy would help create energy security as well as energy independence for Florida. Read more.
News:
EDF to Florida PSC: Feed-in Tariffs Better than REC Trading
Florida Solar Coalition Calls for Feed-in Tariffs Over RECs at PSC
Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy Launches
FARE Files Florida PSC Comments Calling for Feed-in Tariffs
Gainesville, Florida Putting REPs into Place
Stephen Smith
Executive Director
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
865.637.6055 ext 12
sasmith@cleanenergy.org
Eric Draper
Florida Audubon
Director of Conservation
(O) 850.224.7546
(c) 850.251.1301
edraper@audbon.org
George Cavros, Esq.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Natural Resources Defense Council
120 E. Oakland Park Blvd, Ste. 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
954.563.0074 (office)
954.295.5714 (cell)
Joe Treshler
Covanta Energy
Vice President, Business Development and Community Affairs
727.856.2917
jtreshler@covantaenergy.com
Cecilia Aguillon
Kyocera Solar
858.829.1708
Cecilia.Aguillon@kyocera.com
Gewn Rose
Vote Solar
gwen@votesolar.org
The Vote Solar Initiative
www.votesolar.org
tel: 415/817-5060
fax: 415/543-1374
Susan Glickman
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
727-742-9003 cell
susanglickman@verizon.net
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