Florida- Innovation Hub of the Americas: An Oxymoron

I just received the Cleantech Market Brief on Florida's green economy and the title is aptly appropriate - BRIEF. I skimmed over the column on Solar and read the only positive statements on solar in Florida today are limited to "Florida utilities (i.e. FP&L) are leader in the deployment of utility-scale PV systems." No mention of any momentum on commercial or residential incentives. These two sectors don't exist in the lexicology of the sunshine state. It is embarrassing that Cleantech should publish such a brief, when in fact Florida IS NOT the innovation hub of the Americas. Today, Florida ranks right up next to Alaska in incentivizing solar.

Distributed Generation: A Four Letter Word For Utilities

Although the bill which would allow Florida’s utilities to build an additional 730MW of solar power failed to pass during this past legislative session, it is by no means dead. On the contrary, Senator Mike Haridopolis during the recent energy summit in Orlando claimed that the reason why this bill died was because Gov. Crist made it clear that he would veto it. After Governor Crist called for a special session, Senator Haridopolis said that they would only attend if the Governor would let this vital bill pass. They did attend the special session, and walked out within 1 hour. I really think that our hired lawmakers need to do due diligence before buying into whatever FP&L and the other investor owned utilities claim. Our leadership believe that building 730MW of solar power will create jobs which is not untrue. But just how many jobs will this create? Not 40,000 as FP&L claims, and certainly not permanent full time jobs.

Recently, local residents went up against Xcel Energy’s plans to build a major solar farm in Colorado and won. The residents argued for a decentralized power system (distributed generation), smaller scale solar for use in their own valley. They argued against Xcel's MW solar farm and were triumphant. So why is it that the citizens of Florida are denied the right to argue for distributed generation? We elected our representatives to do our bidding, and they just appear to be doing the bidding of the major utilities. Maybe the reason why the residents of Colorado's San Luis Valley won was because they had a significant ace in their corner- the support of billionaire Louis Moore Bacon.

What is it going to take to get the legislature to start paying attention to what their constituents want? Do we want to have to pay to build these major solar farms? No. Will we directly benefit from this free energy from the sun? No. Will we have ownership in these solar farms that we will be forced to invest in? No. Bottom line, we need to be able to voice our dissidence at allowing the utilities to continue control all the power.

The intelligent energy pundits across the globe agree that distributed generation of power is vital for our energy market. Approximately 50% of the electricity generated at the power plant is lost by the time it reaches our homes. Line loss is significant and has a multitude of negative affects on our environment. Distributed generation of power, that is generating power near where it is consumed (i.e. on our rooftops or backyard) helps the grid, helps national security, and helps individual families save money with free energy from the sun.

Florida is now without any financial incentives for solar energy. The legislature refused to pass a public benefits fund which would have cost each household .25 a month and created $30 million for solar incentives for families. Why? Because leadership claimed that this .25 a month was a "tax" (which is true) and that they could not tax Florida's struggling families. However, they were not a bit put off by forcing the ratepayers to foot the bill for 730MW of solar power. At $6.00 a watt (which is what FP&L paid for their two solar farms) this equal $4.38 billion dollars. That's a pretty darn hefty price tag for an investment that we don't have a say in.

FP&L Publishes False Findings To Get Out Of Paying For Solar Incentives

It came as no surprise when Sam Cochran, owner of Russell & Sun Solar called to tell me about his research on FP&L's latest attempts to get out of having to pay solar incentives to individual and business ratepayers, per the PSC's instructions last year. FP&L must think that they are above using FSEC's industry standard tested methodology to validate their findings. If they used FSEC's calculations for kWh output for PV modules and BTU's for solar thermal collectors they would not have any grounds for arguing against a solar incentive plan for their ratepayers. Thank you Sam for calling them out. I think everyone needs to write to the PSC and focus the spotlight on FP&L's outrageous fiction.


Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850

To whom it may concern; July 9th, 2010

I am a solar contractor headquartered in Melbourne. I am writing to strongly encourage approval of FPL’s original proposal (dated March 30, 2010) with respect to the solar programs described. I also would like to explain why I believe FPL’s test results should be disregarded as a basis for rejecting solar programs; their numbers are inaccurate and misleading.

FPL claims that a solar water heating system consisting of an 80gal tank and a 4x10 collector will offset 1482kWh per customer per year at the meter1. Russell & Sun Solar has been installing solar water heaters for 28+ years here in Central Florida so we know that the numbers FPL uses to justify their tests are completely inaccurate. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) also knows: they have measured and rated these collectors in a controlled environment to produce 34,400 BTUs per day which translates into at least 3681kWh per year per customer, not 1482kWs as FPL claims. FPL’s number is so far off that it appears that they have fabricated numbers for their tests. It is no wonder that this program fails.

FPL further falsely claims that PV systems will produce 5373kWh2. Industry-accepted calculations for a 10kW PV system are 15,802kWh and 7901kWh for a 5kW system per customer per year. Our company has installed several hundred kWs of PV. We routinely measure most of our systems so we know that FPL’s number for PV savings is way too low - up to three times too low. Again, there is little wonder this program fails FPL’s tests.

FPL is even more misleading when citing the performance of Business Solar Water Heating systems3. Again, FPL should have consulted the national experts, FSEC, to make their determinations. We have two systems that we deliberately and accurately measure. Both have just four collectors; they are small systems for a business. Each of these systems produces at least 14,726 kWh per year, not 3652kWh as FPL claims. FPL is off in their calculations by 4X!

It is clear to me that FPL has supported their proposal with numbers that are inaccurate at best and deliberately misleading at worst. This tactic is not new to FPL. In a report authored by Washington Economics Group (FPL is one of their largest customers), 40,000 jobs will be created if Florida legislature authorizes the utility companies to build 700MW of solar power. This number has not been supported by anything we have seen. In fact, we have a recent example in Cape Canaveral at the 25MW solar farm installed by FPL. This project has created three, yes, just three, permanent jobs.

I believe it is important to emphasize the quasi-irrelevance of the testing methods used by FPL. The E-RIM test is highly suspicious for too many reasons to explain here. It is probable that this test should not be used at all. The E-TRC test is much more relevant, but it does not address adequately the many other factors important to Floridians today, such as our environment, GHG emissions, job creation, or long-term energy policy and sustainability. For example, it is clear that Florida must remain as pristine as possible, especially our beaches, in order to support our largest industry, tourism. How do any of these tests address this?

My final concern is this: is it really prudent or appropriate to allow our utility companies to dictate our energy policies? Energy policies must be a reflection of many factors, including recent events, societal trends, and what is good for Floridians and Americans.

I strongly believe that Florida must be a leader in the renewable energy industry. Utility incentives are one good way to grow renewable energies. Please support incentive plans through our IOUs. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Samuel Cochrane, President
Russell & Sun Solar, Inc.
Melbourne


Notes:

1. On page 107 referencing the Residential Solar Water Heating program, FPL publishes this chart:

At the Meter
Year Per customer kWh Reduction Per customer winter kWh Reduction Per customer Summer kWh Reduction Total annual kWh Reduction Total annual Winter kWh Reduction Total annual Summer kWh Reduction
2010 1482 0.45 0.22 2,024,835 615 301
2011 1482 0.45 0.22 6,799,875 2065 1009
2012 1482 0.45 0.22 7,235,124 2197 1074
2013 1482 0.45 0.22 7,371,468 2238 1094
2014 1482 0.45 0.22 7,365,540 2237 1093
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0

 
2. Residential Photovoltaic System program, from page 110 of their amended proposal (dated July1, 2010):

Year Per customer kWh reduction Per customer Winter kWh reduction Per customer Summer kWh reduction Total annual kWh reduction Total annual winter kWh reduction Total annual summer kWh reduction
2010 5373 .05 1.70 605,222 6 191
2011 5373 .05 1.70 1,826,888 17 578
2012 5373 .05 1.70 1,826,888 17 578
2013 5373 .05 1.70 1,826,888 17 578
2014 5373 .05 1.70 1,826,888 17 578
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0

3. On page 109 referencing the Business Solar Water Heating program, FPL publishes this chart:

Year Per customer kWh reduction Per customer Winter kWh reduction Per customer Summer kWh reduction Total annual kWh reduction Total annual winter kWh reduction Total annual summer kWh reduction
2010 3652 .07 1.00 41,994 1 11
2011 3652 .07 1.00 155,555 3 42
2012 3652 .07 1.00 189,299 4 52
2013 3652 .07 1.00 229,171 4 63
2014 3652 .07 1.00 275,797 5 75
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0

Energy Independence in Florida- Not So Much

My google news alert tagged an Op-Ed piece written by Daniel Tilson that is the most refreshing ,honest, telling it like it is article I have read about the tragic state of current affairs in Florida. My mother called as soon as she heard the news that President Obama had pledged $2 Billion for solar projects. Then I read that this money is going to the big utilities which is good for the environment, but not so good for speeding along our economic recovery. Why is President Obama's administration giving all this money to the utilities and ignoring the rights of individuals? Our families want to save money on their utility bills (not pay more). We want to reduce GHG and most importantly we want to create green jobs within the private sector by providing incentives to families to reduce the cost of installing solar energy. In EarthNews Ms. Cussons writes "Obama expressed hope that these projects would assist economic recovery in the private sector." President Obama, you must do more than just hope. You need to act. Job creation in the private sector will ONLY grow if there is incentive money available for the average homeowner. Reducing the cost of installing solar by providing incentives will grow more jobs in the private sector than in the public sector. Florida boasts 11.2% unemployment, BUT within the solar industry in Florida, unemployment looms at nearly 30%. Incentives for individuals and not just utilities will put these green workers back to work, so stop hoping. While large scale solar is an important initiative to our environment, you are giving everything to the utilities. We're not seeing anything trickle down to those who elected you to office. Individuals needs incentives for solar. You can't hope to help the private sector unless you start acting. When utilities ramp up for building a solar farm, the jobs created only last as long as the construction phase. FP&L's Acadia farm is a perfect example. At its peak, FP&L claimed to have created 400 jobs (which I think is probably way overstated). Now, there are only 3 individuals who remain. If money is made available for solar incentives, the small entrepreneurs who make up 85% of the solar installation industry will be able to hire new workers, and put unemployed workers back to work as Full Time Employees, not just contract labor. Dollar for dollar it can be proven that more jobs can be created in the private sector than in the public sector. And for those who have forgotten, the private sector is the backbone of our economy.

Wrong! NYT- Florida DID create green jobs with stimulus funding!

Last week the NYT (June 10th “ A Stimulus Package With No Jobs”) bashed Florida saying that the state used stimulus funding to pay a backlog of solar rebate applications and that it did not create any green jobs. The Washington Examiner (June 14, 2010 “In Fla., ‘green jobs means no new jobs at all”) claimed that “Florida officials spent $8.3 million to give rebates on solar energy projects that were already finished. Needless to say, zero jobs were created or saved.” Both newspapers are grossly incorrect in their allegations.

The $8.3 million paid to people who had already installed solar, was indeed an economic driver for the solar industry in Florida and created an unprecented momentum for solar growth in Florida in 2009 and which continues in 2010. Use of these funds directly contributed to creating and retaining approximately 1032 jobs by providing a level of confidence in the solar rebate program that had been diminishing.

According to SEIA’s 2009 Solar Report, Florida ranked #3 in the nation by installing 36 MW in 2009. FP&L’s Desoto plant’s 25 MW is included in this number which means that Floridians installed 11MW of solar electricity in 2009, compared to a statewide cumulative total of only 3 MW up until 2009. The stimulus money paid for the rebate backlog for only 2MW but it created new green jobs by providing incentive and more importantly confidence to Floridians to continue to install an additional 9MW of solar after the $8.3 million had been allocated. According to NREL’s Jobs & Economic Development Impact Model 9MW of solar would create 1,167 jobs. I used my own rough calculations and divided 9MW among the 150 solar contracting firms in Florida which worked out to approximately 600 Full time Employees (FTEs) and 432 induced jobs. Both estimates exceeds the Executive Office of the President and Council of Economic Advisors estimate of $92,000 of direct government spending to create one job-year by nearly eleven fold. Wow! Way to go Florida.


The purpose of the ARRA is to grow renewables and stimulate the economy. By directing $8.3 million to pay a backlog of rebate applicants, Florida succeeded on both counts. The additional 9MW of solar installations pumped approximately $60 million back into Florida’s lagging economy from the private sector that paid the upfront cost for the solar installations with the expectation that they would receive a rebate check down the road.

Unlike other states that require pre-approval for a rebate before you install a system, the Florida law requires you to install your system and then apply for the rebate. Since 2006 there has always been an oversubscription for the allocated funding yet Floridians on the waiting list have always been paid in the following year. There was no reason to assume that this year would be different and that they would be left to hang out to dry. When Florida was told that $8.3 million would be infused into the existing solar rebate program the momentum for solar energy surged fast and furiously. Yes, Florida can and should be criticized on how poorly they have managed the rebate program since its inception, or for its gross lack of under funding each year, and for not providing accurate accountability of how much money remained in the solar rebate till, but the criticism directed at Florida by these two newspapers has nothing to do with the state rebate program’s failures, but specifically claims that the ARRA funding did not create jobs. WRONG!

Incentives drive solar installations. The 2010 legislature failed to pass a solar incentive package for homeowners and businesses which is unconscionable given the gulf oil disaster occurred 10 days before the close of the session. Lawmakers had the opportunity to pass a public benefits fund which would have paid those who are wait listed (currently estimated to be about $25 million) as well as provide a sustainable program for future solar installations. But they did nothing. How can Florida possibly call itself the Sunshine State when they are doing nothing to assist families with their energy independence?

Florida’s use of $8.3 million too pay solar rebates surpassed ARRA objectives by exceeding federal job creation estimates by 1100%, by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, by reducing GHG by 9,000 tones/year and by stimulating the state’s economy with over $60 million in private sector leveraged funds. If other ARRA programs have similar results, then there is hope for an economic recovery.

Turning Our Backs on Sunshine

On April 20th the U.S. had a wake up call to move away from fossil fuels and develop more renewable energy sources when BP Deepwater Horizon exploded, killing 11 people and spilling over 70,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf each day. While the rest of the nation was reeling from the accident, Florida’s legislature was focused on passing legislation during the last 8 days of the session and renewable energy was not key on the agenda. Florida did what Florida has always done when it comes to renewable energy—stuck their heads in the sand. It is only now that Florida realizes that we are directly affected by offshore disaster. We are losing millions of dollars from tourism in anticipation of the oil spill destroying our coastline. Now Governor Crist is being called upon to call a special session for renewable energy in light of the massive oil spill in the Gulf. It’s about time.

The 2010 legislative session ended April 30th without passing a solar initiative for Florida’s residents to help reduce the cost of installing solar. Additionally, over 8,500 people are waiting to see if the state will make good on their promise to pay over $25 million in outstanding rebate applications. Paying those on the waiting list is not a solitary issue. Florida needs a sustainable program to provide incentives to individuals to install solar. During the past session Senator Mike Bennett and Representative Michelle Vasilinda tried to attach a public benefits fund to other legislation as an effort to pay those on the waiting list, and to provide financial incentives to reduce the cost of installing solar, and make it financially feasible to the average citizen. But their efforts failed.

Why is the issue of providing incentives for solar to individuals so antagonistic to the Florida legislature? The .25 public benefits fund would create a $30 million fund for solar rebates. The cost to the average family would be a mere $3.00 a year, yet this bill did not even make it out of committee. Republican leadership was up in arms against an additional $3 tax on Florida’s citizens. But at the same time, the House was willing to allow the utilities to increase an IOU ratepayer’s annual utility bill by $150 next year, followed by $100 increase in 2011 and an additional $100 in 2012 (total of $350 over the next three years) so the ratepayers could build additional solar farms for the utilities. The House supported this bill, because an additional $150 a year expense to a ratepayer is NOT a tax, but a recovered cost paid to the utilities. I thought that our elected representatives were supposed to vote for programs that their constituents wanted. How about asking all the IOU ratepayers just how they feel about an additional $150 increase next year? I am sure that the overwhelming response would be NO WAY!

The Florida legislature is an anomaly when it comes to renewable energy. We live in the “Sunshine State” but we do not encourage distributed electrical generation on individual rooftops. Our citizens are crying out to reduce their utility bills, and instead our lawmakers were poised for a $150 year increase. A cataclysmic offshore disaster occurs, and the local news just about ignores it for the first week.
Overwhelming, the Florida legislature always comes up on the side of the utilities, not the citizens. The rest of the nation is on track with trying to empower the private sector with green job creation, to provide affordable renewable energy to drive private sector investment, but not so in Florida. By eliminating financial incentives for solar in the private sector, the Florida legislature has caused unemployment in the solar industry to reach 30%. Every day we read about the job loss in the solar industry in Florida. The Florida legislature is NOT creating green jobs; they are aggressively contributing to the demise of the solar industry in Florida. It’s time that the lawmakers realize that they need to listen to their constituents, not the utilities. They need to make solar more affordable and accessible for residents and businesses and to accelerate demand through incentives. The 8,500 individuals who installed solar last year should be applauded not penalized. We pay over $40 billion a year in subsidiaries to the oil and gas companies. I wonder how much of the $40 billion went to BP alone? We owe $25 million in solar rebates. The legislature needs to do the right thing, pay those on the wait list AND provide a sustainable mechanism so that Florida’s families can ensure their own energy independence and quality of life by installing solar.

More Letters of Support for Public Benefits Fund

From a concrened citizen of the great State of Florida, I urge you to work for the passage of the bill CS/HB 7179!The current OIL disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is a HUGE wake-up call.We need to promote and FUND alternative RENEWABLE and CLEAN energy options for our citizens, NOT ENERGY CORPORATIONS!!We have only a few hours left to decide on a positive dirrection for our SUNSHINE STATE.You can make a difference!!
Thank you,
Douglas Nuanamker, Quincy, Florida

Dear Senator Atwood;
Please support Senator Bennett’s Amended CS/HB 7179 for the Solar Public Benefit Fund. Generating Electric Power where it is consumed is the most efficient method for generating electric power! A ‘Decentralized’ electric power generation model far outweighs a ‘Central’ System that requires building out the grid and loss of up to 50% of the power generated through line loss. The demand for clean electric power will continue to increase as we transition to electric vehicles. Our neighboring States and Countries recognize the benefits of installing Solar Electric Power Systems on individual Residences, Schools, Municipal Buildings and Businesses.
It makes cents to have Solar Electric Power being generated where it is consumed…
Respectfully;
Kevin Maloney
Vero Beach

Dear Senator Bennett,

I have been following what is going on regarding renewable energy in this year’s session and was greatly disappointed that your bill for the public benefits fund was killed. I don’t know if you have any way of getting this bill out of committee and passed at this late stage of the game, but I wanted to write to you to tell you that I hope you can.

I am graduating next week from Florida Institute of Technology where I will gain my engineering degree in Ocean Engineering. I followed this educational track, after having had a career in another industry, so I am old by college standards (28 years old). I have a passion for renewable energy and also just got my CVC license recently. You would think that armed with an engineering degree and a CVC license I would be able to get a job in Florida. Without an incentive program for solar for the individuals, it will be impossible to create jobs in the private sector.

I am writing to you to really encourage you to get public utilities bill passed. Everyone I have spoken to at FIT and friends and family all think that .25 is way too reasonable and they are all willing to have at least $1.00 attached to their utility bill. My greatest fear is that without a public benefits fund, then the individual’s rights to have solar on their roof is not part of the equation, and the only ones who will install solar are the utilities. I am sure you are aware of the statistics about transmission loss, but having distributed generation is REALLY good for our state. There is an average loss of 20% of the electricity just from the grid to a home. Solar on the roof top results in only 5%-6% loss (4% for inverter inefficiencies, and 2% for wire loss from the panels to the main). For this reason alone, it would make sense that to save on our grid, we should have distributed generation.

Please reconsider your decision, and see if there is some way to get a public benefits fund passed. If this bill is passed, then I am sure I will be able to remain in Florida, get a job in the solar/renewable industry, and be a good contributing citizen to this fine state of ours.
Sincerely yours,
Kelly Dunn
Melbourne, Florida

Dear Representative Roberson,
I'm writing to you to request that you demonstrate your support for solar energy in this legislative session. A sustainable energy future based on efficiency and renewables is vital to the future prosperity of our state, and I believe that the legislature should provide incentives to encourage Floridians to install solar hot water and electric systems on their homes and businesses.

Specifically, I would like you to support House Bill 1267/1269 (or Senate Bill 2404/2406) which would establish a Public Benefits Fund to provide a stable and reliable funding source for solar in Florida. This bill would not require any money from the general fund, and would add only a tiny fee to Floridians' monthly utility bills. Passage of this bill would allow the state to fund the backlog of existing solar rebate applications, as well as continuing the Solar Rebate Program through 2015.

Given the state of our economy and the need for jobs, I believe we need to support promising industries such as the solar industry. Installing solar energy systems on our residences and businesses keeps our energy investments in Florida, rather than exporting our investments out of state. Providing incentives directly to Florida's families and business owners rather than to the investor-owned utilities means that Main Street rather than Wall Street will receive the benefits of investing in solar.

Solar energy is important to my family, and we hope that as our representative in Tallahassee you will show your vision for the future of our State by supporting solar energy for Florida's families.
Sincerely,
Coty K.

Please tell Ken I am counting on him to use his influence to get the bills out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. I have had enough inaction from the legislature this session. Please also pass to Ken that I am losing patience (let's say I am angry) with the legislature subsidizing the utility companies' solar projects while neglecting the homeowners and small business installers. This is a wrong I am counting on him to take action to correct.
Coty K.

Dear Senator Bennett,
I am happy to hear that you may be considering drafting a new bill that will
create a public benefits fund for solar installations in Florida. I would just like to voice my complete support for this idea. I would me more than happy to pay $.25 per month to fund this effort, in fact I think it should be $1.00 or more per month. $12 per year is a small price to pay for distributed, renewable energy for Florida. It seems that our most vulnerable system is our energy grid, in which production is centered around a few key targets. Distribution of energy production on individual roofs would greatly help to mitigate against this risk. With all the talk of terrorism lately, I feel that this is a point that is often overlooked and the solution to it is so readily available.

The oil leak off of the coast of Louisiana is said to potentially reach the
shores of Florida as early as tomorrow. Need I say more?

Lastly, it is apparent that distributed solar will create many jobs throughout the state, and keep the jobs of many already struggling electricians and contractors. I know several electricians and contractors that are planning on learning more about solar or are getting certified as a solar contractor as a way to fill the gaps between their typical work, but the lack of a Public Benefits Fund will greatly impact the viability of this idea.

We need energy security, environmental protection, energy independence, and job creation more than we ever have. This one bill could help to solve four problems at once. I didn't even get into the benefits of peak demand reduction and the lowering of utility rates across the board. This should not be a voluntary contribution!! $3.00 per year is nothing! Please make every effort to make this a mandatory charge for every meter in the state.Please make this happen for us!!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Lee

I have just received your post card mailer and was very pleased to see that a group has formed with our common interest. I am desperately waiting for a $20000 rebate and have been searching for months on how to find out if the program is going to be funded again. When do we find out and how? I love my solar system but cannot afford it without the rebate that I was sold on.

It makes me sick that government continues to fund fossil fuel and or corporate solar initiatives when the world is desperate for change. local solar does so much more for the local community! More jobs, growth of small business, homeowner pride and of course sustainable energy!
Alex L.

I appreciate your notification regarding the rebate program. Being on
Social Security Disability is frustrating enough but to have the government
send businness people with the promise of rebates only to be told later there
is no money is a crock, deceitful and would have caused me top probably not
make the purchase at all.
Is there any class action litigation pending or anticipated to recoup the
so-called promised money that I believe may have hurt others even more so
than myself? I'd appreciate knowing any that you can offer since this
becomes increasingly costly and shamefully by the same people we elected to
represent us-not betray!

As Floridian voters, we must be able to maintain the Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund. Discriminating against the solar heating homeowner in favor of the electric utilities is unacceptable.

Pat L.

Dear Honorable Sir/Ms.,

I am writing with concern over the Solar Power Incentive Rebate program that has run out of money, here in Sunny Florida. In good faith, I purchased a photovoltaic solar system for my home this past year. I had it installed and in operation by the end of FY2009 with the hopes of obtaining a rebate from the State of Florida in the amount of $20,000 dollars. The system costs way more than that amount.

I understand the utilities are subsidized with free solar plants from our tax dollars while the rebate program for Florida' families has effectively been eliminated and all incentives are gone, leaving some of us unpaid. The current Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act allowed for up $20,000 per household. I feel that this program should be funded until the expiration date which is June 30, 2010. I am currently awaiting my rebate and would greatly appreciate your help in providing funding. This program helps the power companies by lifting the demand household by household power consumption. Thus far this year, I have produced 2,450 kilowatts of power, instead of using from the over burdened grid. Please help us who tried to help!

Sincerely,
Steve Fredriksen

Sir: Please pass funding, 2010, for our solar rebate program. I have had my solar system installed last June, 2009 and I am still waiting for the passage of Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund.
Thank you Albert & Rita S.

If funding gets dropped I plan on getting SOLAR SUCKS Bumper stickers. I'm getting laid off from the Shuttle Program and I get to spend my severance
paying back the solar Loan. Thanks to the Legislature.
John C.

I purchased a Solar hot water system last September and have not received my $500.00 rebate yet and I understand I maybe in jeopardy of not receiving it at all. I am not in the best financial situation and I depended on this rebate. I would not have purchased the system if I knew I would not receive the rebate therefore I need your help.
Thank you very much.
Ed

Thank you for sending me info. on the Solar rebate program. I was wondering why the Great State of Florida has not sent me my rebate since December 2009 (Now I Know). I have sent letters to my District Representative & Senator's to support the Florida Solar Energy program.

It is beyond comprehension that the public has been promised a rebate by the State of Florida for Solar Energy, and the State Legislature has not yet funded it. We will remember who you are when we go to the polls.
Kenneth G.

I have been fooled by a company named SDI in Riviera Beach. they installed a new solar panel and new 66 gal heater and charge me $ 10K with the promise to receive $3k from the state, $500 from the city and 2K from FPL.Total $5.5K out of 10k.so far nothing happened and they even do not answer their phone.
Yves L.

Maintain Solar Energy Rebates for individuals, not big power companies.
Kim M.

I was promised a rebate on the Solar Water Heater that I had installed. I feel that our Legislators should make sure that the people who are trying to use natural energy and help on saving our planet should make sure we get our rebates as promised.
Susan M.

Dear Dean Cannon,


My name is Jerry Riverstone, and I am writing on behalf of Floridians for Energy
Independence. I am writing to request Representative Cannon's support for the inclusion of a Public Benefits Fund for Solar Energy in the amended energy bill Bill No. CS/HB 7179.
The legislators are truly being handed an easy victory with this bill. In its currentversion the Public Benefits Fund being requested is voluntary, and would entail no mandatory rate increase for utility customers, as well as no new taxes. The bill would, however, be important to Florida's solar industry, as well as the families and businesses that want solar on their rooftops.

Eighteen States have similar funds, and Maine also has a voluntary fund. The Fund would create a legal mechanism that can be used to help leverage federal funding for solar and other renewable energy in Florida.
Please join with the other Senators and Representatives who have decided that the Public Benefits Fund is a great idea and deserves to be supported.
Sincerely,
Jerry Riverstone

KEEP THE SOLAR REBATE ALIVE
John P.

I purchased the Solar Water Heater with the understanding I would get a rebate, which sould go towards paying down the cost of the equipment. We need to support the Solar Rebate Program through 2015.
Darryl H.

I am writing about the Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund. Last year I bought a solor water heater with a promise I would get a $500.00 rebate on it. The government seems ways to take money for us, but when they promise a rebate program they find ways to not pay up.
Thank you
Paula L.

We hope the effort to get our FL legislature to be forthcoming with our promised solar energy rebate will be successful.
Andy & Judy S.

Representative Clay Ford- WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TODAY

To the Honorable Clay Ford;

We strongly believe in the need for individuals around the world to assume
more responsibility for energy production and distribution. Having seen
massive commercial windmill farms and solar collection areas, we argue that
these unnecessarily take up land, reduce space for wildlife, and may have
questionable effects on both humans and animal life. If, instead, the roof
of every home had photovoltaic panels connected to "the grid", the results
would be positive. The amount of non-solar fuels used to create
electricity would decrease significantly, local related businesses would
flourish, our world would be cleaner, space that normally provides only a
shield from the elements would be productive, distribution of electricity
would not be as affected by natural disasters, and individuals would be more
likely to recognize their own connections and responsibilities to the
community as a whole.

Unfortunately, the initial cost of installation of a photovoltaic system is
beyond the means of most families. We support introduction and passage of
a bill that would add up to $1.00 to each monthly residential electric bill
for the purpose of creating a public fund for reimbursement of a portion of
installation costs. We currently pay $.50 on every monthly telephone bill
for maintenance of a 911 emergency call system. This is assumed to benefit
the community as a whole, although most families may never use the system.
Accordingly, a flat monthly charge added to the electric utility bill would
be of benefit to the entire community without being an undue burden on any
one group.

Bruce M. Phillips
Roseanna H. Phillips

This was Mr. Ford's response to his constituents:

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips:
Your proposal makes a lot of sense and would not create an undue burden for
any user of power services but create a public pool for the benefit of all.
I would hope that we could offer some low cost options for lower income
individuals to participate. Thanks for the suggestion. If I remain on
energy committee for next year, I'll get it brought up for discussion. Best
wishes.
Clay

Florida's Solar Public Benefits Fund: Keeping Pressure On

Reasons to include the Solar Public Benefit Fund in the pending Energy Bill

1 ) It’s voluntary. It does not impose any new tax burden on Floridians.

2) It has no impact on the Florida budget. It creates a legal mechanism to allow both the Federal and State government to add funds if available but does not require the federal or State government to do so.

3) It demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to solar. It will be used to both pay down the current backlog of Solar Rebate applications, as well as continuing a scaled-back Solar Rebate Program. This will allow the solar market to mature rather than creating a boom and bust. ( No massive job loss)

4 ) Green Jobs. The PBF will keep hard-won Green Jobs here in the state of Florida.

5) Florida’s solar industry will take the lead. The solar industry will carry the weight of informing the public about the fund. Consider it a public good, much like a blood drive.

6) The Public Benefit Fund will allow the wealthy and corporate interest to invest in projects like habitat for humanity, and low and middle income housing construction. Incorporating solar hot water and solar electrical system by doing so these people will see energy efficient homes with greatly reduced utility bills. Also helping out States construction and building industries.

Public Benefits Fund Is Still Breathing in Tallahassee

This morning we spoke to Senator Bennett and he told us that he was going to "work like mad" to get the Public Benefits Fund language put back into his amended bill CS/HB 7179 this morning. However, the primary opposition at this hour is Senators Alexander and Atwater.

We need to ask you again to make calls to their offices (calls are better) and then follow up with an email. We need to ask you to do this ASAP, since this is the LAST day of this year's session. Yesterday, your calls helped to convince Senator Bennett to try to fight for us here. So please, make these two calls this morning. For additional speaking points, go to our website at www.ffei.org.

Call and email these senators, tell them to support a Public Benefits Fund and to support Senator Bennett's bill 7179.

Senator JD Alexander (850) 487-5044 email: alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeff Atwater (850) 487-5100 email: atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov

FFEI Fights for Solar Rebates

A group of us started a non-profit group, Floridians for Energy Independence, to try to get the solar rebates paid for the 8,000 disenfranchised voters who are waiting to see if they will get their checks. Despite great odds, we have been actively trying to get a Public Benefits Fund attached to a bill as an amendment. We have been reaching out to the republican leadership through a grass roots movement (www.ffei.org)and there are some of the letters that have been sent to Senators Bennett, Atwater, & Alexander.

Dear Senator Bennett,

I am happy to hear that you may be considering drafting a new bill that will create a public benefits fund for solar installations in Florida. I would just like to voice my complete support for this idea. I would me more than happy to pay $.25 per month to fund this effort, in fact I think it should be $1.00 or more per month. $12per year is a small price to pay for distributed, renewable energy for Florida. It seems that our most vulnerable system is our energy grid, in which production is centered around a few key targets. Distribution of energy production on individual roofs would greatly help to mitigate against this risk. With all the talk of terrorism lately, I feel that this is a point that is often overlooked and the solution to it is so readily available.

The oil leak off of the coast of Louisiana is said to potentially reach the shores of Florida as early as tomorrow. Need I say more?

Lastly, it is apparent that distributed solar will create many jobs throughout the state, and keep the jobs of many already struggling electricians and contractors. I know several electricians and contractors that are planning on learning more about solar or are getting certified as a solar contractor as a way to fill the gaps between their typical work, but the lack of a Public Benefits Fund will greatly impact the viability of this idea.

We need energy security, environmental protection, energy independence, and job creation more than we ever have. This one bill could help to solve four problems at once. I didn't even get into the benefits of peak demand reduction and the lowering of utility rates across the board. This should not be a voluntary contribution!! $3.00 per year is nothing! Please make every effort to make this a mandatory charge for every meter in the state.
Please make this happen for us!!

Jonathan Lee

Floridians For Energy Independence Unites Disgruntled Solar Voters

Last week we formed a non-profit company (501c4) Floridians For Energy Independence (www.ffei.org) to reach out to the 8,000 people who installed solar in Florida in the past 12 months who are currently waiting to see if the 2010 Legislature will pay the promised rebates.
We mailed post cards to all 8,000 voters and asked them to call their lawmakers THIS week and tell them to earn their vote this election year by passing a Solar Energy Public Benefits Funds. It is important that our elected officials be reminded that this is an election year and they should not count on getting our votes just because they are currently in office. We have to take back our control over our elected officials and tell them that we are not going to stand idle while they provide incentives and opportunities for the big corporations and electrical utilities, and ignor the average Floridian family.
We are the only organization that is supporting a sustainable program to provide incentives to individuals to install solar. Without this program, the solar industry will be dead in Florida. Just about every state has some form of a public benefits program, but the 2010 Florida legislature seems dead set against giving the public the RIGHT to install solar on our rooftops.
Please go to www.ffei.org to learn about the public benefits fund and call your legislators this week. The 2010 legislative session ends this coming friday, April 30,2010 so we need your action today.

Public Benefits Fund versus Footing the bill for Utilities

Senate Bill 992 passed out of the Senate Energy committee. SB992 is the Senate Energy Bill and includes language from SB 1186, sometimes called the "FP&L Bill", which repeals the RPS and replaces it with a 3-year, 700MW goal for utilities which would allow them to pass the construction costs back to their ratepayers. This has not passed yet, but probably will, so all of us ratepayers can expect to foot this $4.2 billion deal. What will this mean to ratepayers? Each one of us will have to pay approximately $468 (in total) to build 700 MW for the utilities. This will probably work out to $18 a year for the next 25 years, and then we still don't even know how much more the utilities will charge us for "their" green power.. it is "theirs" after all since we are not benefiting with financial savings on our electric bills.

Yes, the concept of a Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund is so outrageous to those in power this year.. they make statements like ".25 a month is a tax, and we can't tax citizens in a recession." Well-- what would .25 added to every ratepayers utility bill add up to? A whopping $3.00 a year, and it would put $30 million into a fund that would be used to pay people (NOT UTILITIES) for incentives to be able to afford to put solar on their roofs, and REDUCE their monthly utility bills. Instead, the legislature wants us to pay $18.00 a year to build solar farms for our utilities. What are they thinking in Talahassee?? Oh, I guess they're not.

Rep Adam Hasner's ScapeGoat for Solar

A woman recently wrote to Majority Leader Adam Hasner about the rumors she had heard that Mr. Hasner did not support paying those on the solar rebate waiting list because he thought that only rich people installed solar. She showed me his reply to her letter, penned quickly to quell any rumors about this as just "plain silly" but what alarmed me in his response was the outrageous blatant untruth he cited, where he claimed "From your letter it appears that your daughter was sold a solar system during a time in which no money had been placed in the rebate program for two years. The installer should have known that this was the case and should have informed her of the likelihood that no rebate would be available." I do not understand how our Majority Leader in the Florida House of Representatives would make such an untruthful, unsubstantiated obvious falsehood. In fact, there was $14.4 million from ARRA funding reprogrammed into the solar rebate program. Where does he get off stating otherwise? My cause for concern is that I feel that Mr. Hasner may be setting up the solar contractors to be the scapegoat for the state, to take the fall for the state's mismanaged solar rebate program. From his letter he appears to be posturing for the blame that will go down when the state is unable to pay those on the waiting list.

The responsibility to tell the citizens of Florida how much money remained in the system was the responsibility of the FECC. The solar contractors relied on the same information as individuals applying for rebates. This information was located on the FECC rebate website. The FECC had a responsibility to update this information and they failed to do so. Up until the end of October 2009, the rebate website continued to say that there was funding available and specified the dollar amounts remaining. Therefore, anyone who installed and applied for a rebate through the end of October was doing so under the direction from the FECC that there was money in the program.

It was not until late December 2009 that the FECC first mentioned to the public that funding ran out in June 2009.

Given that there are 8,000 disenfranchised individuals in Florida currently waiting to see if the legislature will pay them their rebates we know that it is going to be a dicey situation for everyone this year, but as our elected representatives, Mr. Hasner should have the responsibility to impart correct information to the voters, and not try to plant the seed that the solar contractors misrepresented the facts. Rep Hasner is clearly MISREPRESENTING the facts.

The FECC should have (but did not) post on a daily basis how much money had been applied for. This would have given the installers and the homeowners a benchmark as to what remained in the system. The FECC maintains a running database in excel that they use internally to see how much money has been applied for. I do not understand why they failed to pass this information along to the public.

We need to make our voices heard. We need to get everyone to take the time to phone and write their legislators and tell them to support a public benefits fund. This will be the only way that the solar industry will be able to continue in Florida. Right now it appears that the Florida legislature is about to nail the coffin shut on solar in Florida, so make your voice heard during these last two weeks. Please call your legislators and tell them that you want them to support a public benefits fund, and that in this election year, this will be one of the sole criteria for who you decide to vote for.

Official google.org Blog: U.S. job growth, powered by the sun

Did this link ever work? It would be a great tool to be able to track solar jobs created.Official google.org Blog: U.S. job growth, powered by the sun

What is FLASEIA thinking?

I received the industry newsletter from Flaseia last week and after reading it was left scratching my head wondering what is wrong with the Florida legislature? "Leadership in the
House and Senate has told us that
they do not want to impose any more
financial burden on Floridians. This
makes it difficult to finance
programs that would be paid for
through a slight increase in the
customer’s electric bill. This is going
to make it an uphill battle to get the
Solar Rebate Program extended or
for a Public Benefits fund." It is a no-brainer to add .25 a month to everyone's utility bill. The leadership in the House and Senate who are concerned with not imposing a financial burden on individuals need a reality check. Most Floridians have indicated that they would be willing to pay $1.00 a month to fund a public benefits fund, ergo .25 will NOT impose any burden. The burden to society here is the House and Senate leaders who are in bed with big business and can't find the space in their beds for the average Florida citizen. Guess what? For the first time ever, every member in the state's Cabinet is on the chopping block, and all 120 state House seats are "up for grabs and more than half of the Senate," which means-- we exercise our rights as citizens and vote their big business butts out of office if they are not willing to help the average citizen. We are losing green jobs NOT growing jobs in Florida in the solar industry.

Editorial: Killing solar rebate program throws Florida into Reverse

Hopefully the pressure is now being felt by the Florida legislature TO DO THE RIGHT THING and fund the solar rebate program as seen by the number of people responding to this editorial in pnj.com.

Risk Vs. Reward- To Install Solar or Not.

The legislative session has just begun and I am fielding a lot of questions about the rebate. The rebate program ends June 30, 2010. The state appears to be making every effort to discourage people from continuing to install solar since there is a waiting list and they are attempting to appropriate funding to pay those on the waiting list. Governor Crist has included $10 million in his budget to pay those on the waiting list. This money would be appropriated from general revenues and there are other bills being considered.

I attended the January FECC meeting, and Rob Vickers (who manages the rebate program) was asked about the rebate program (specifically how much was currently wait listed)- he chose not to answer that direct question, but instead said that "by June 30, 2010-- it COULD be as high at $20-$25 million." Please note, he did NOT say that there was $25 million on the waiting list, ONLY that there could be. However, this figure was picked up by two news sources, and articles appeared that used that figure as what was currently wait listed. I am fairly sure that the FECC knows exactly how much is on the waiting list, but for whatever reason, they feel that it is best if we do not possess this knowledge.

Up through the end of October 2009 the state's website continued to say that there was money available for the rebate. Once the state took possession of the $14.4 million from ARRA funding, they were posting how much money was remaining. Although the state was not processing applications as fast as they were coming in, having a running tally on the money that was applied for on a daily basis should have been an automatic process. Maybe it was, but we were not privy to this. In late December, the state then informed us that the $14.4 million paid those who applied for rebates up to June 3rd or June 12th (I have heard both dates from the state recently), which means, that anyone who applied for a rebate after June is now on a waiting list. Historically, the rate of rebate applications is about $1 million a month. If this is true, then we can extrapolate that from June - March 30th- there would be about $9.5 million on a waiting list. I am sure that Governor Crist did not pull his $10 million number out of a hat; he must have based it on some actual number. I personally know that as soon as the state announced that funding dried up in June (announced end of December) solar sales came to a halt and I began a grass roots initiative to try to get the state to reprogram ARRA funding to the solar rebate program. Many solar installers sent me the names of those individuals who were laid off, and I went to the state with this figure (15% of solar installation force is unemployed right now.) I question whether the rebate applications have been continuing to come in at a rate of $1 million a month since January given the slump in new solar sales.

I find it very interesting, that whenever there is a positive article Economics of solar is getting better
published it is immediately followed with a very negative article in another paper Clean-energy-is-losing-steam. The Harold Tribune's article really knocks the steam out of someone wanting to install solar. Who would possibly take the chance to install solar when Mr. Zac Anderson has a Magic 8 Ball that can predict the future of solar in Florida and how the legislators will vote.
According to Anderson:
1. The Florida Legislature appears unlikely to restore the fund this year.
2. Prospects for several other bills promoting alternative energy also look dim.
3. Some legislators say renewable energy is a luxury.
4. And these same legislators say that many energy reform ideas could raise rates for electricity customers at a time when budgets are strained.
5. Nearly 8,000 people have applied for rebates since June but cannot collect until the fund is replenished.
6. Kershner said roughly $25 million would be needed just to clear the backlog of people seeking rebates, followed by
7.Crist has proposed much less, just $10 million for solar rebates in his budget.

Mr. Anderson goes on to provide highlights of the bills being considered:
Magic 8 Ball-- please provide the answer here, will any of these bills get passed?
8. Whether any of them will pass is already in doubt.
And, if there is any remote remaining optimism about the solar incentives, let's turn the screw one more time to make sure Zac Anderson's message is heard loud and clear.

9. Gov. Charlie Crist, who in the first years of his tenure strongly promoted alternative energy, is facing a conservative backlash in his run for U.S. Senate and is far less vocal in his support.

We're don't even have Gov. Crist watching our backs! (Has any politician ever watched our backs?)
10. The obstacles are even bigger in the Florida House.
11. House members question the threat posed by global warming.
12. Alternative energy reforms could put another burden on struggling businesses.

Leaving Zac Anderson's doomsday message for solar incentives for a moment, let's turn to what is being considered.

HB 1267 will tag on .25 on each customers monthly utility bill. This will then fund a rebate program. Most people have said that they would pay $1.00 a month to fund a rebate program, so 25 cents is very conservative. I don't know why Zac Anderson thinks that this will have huge opposition. It doesn't seem too radical. Coupled with the support from the PSC, who in December approved Utility Conservation Goals for the state's IOU's. FP&L has until the end of March to announce how they will allocate $15 million in incentives for photovoltaic and solar thermal. Given that there is a PSC recommendation, I would imagine that there wouldn’t be too much controversy for a bill that tags 25 cents a month onto our utility bills (but that is just the way my brain works.)

These are some of the highlights of HB 1267 for those considering taking the chance and installing solar within the current rebate program.
The rebate will be set at $2.50 per watt for the first year, $2.00 per watt second year, and $1.50 per watt for every subsequent year.

Grants will provide funding in the following order of priorities:
1. Any backlog of approved rebate applications for the Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program. "


Beginning Jan. 1, 2011 each electric utility shall collect for each electric utility customer a monthly charge of 25 cents as a systems benefits charge.

If this bill passes, it states that those who are on the waiting list will be paid first. At $4.00 a watt (our current rebate incentive) the payback is 3 years. At $2.00 a watt, the payback is about 7 years. 7 years is still pretty darn good payback.

Many ask me what I think about all this (and I think about it a lot!) I keep saying that you have to be comfortable with your own decision. But still you persist in asking this question of me, so for whatever it is worth, this is what I think is likely to occur based on the assumption that our legislators are reasonable men and women, and honestly, how far fetched is that idea?

I think if you install solar under the current program before it sunsets, you will probably be paid. I don't know where the funding will come from, maybe they can get the federal government to reprogram funds from the ARRA, maybe Gov. Crist gets his $10 million, maybe this radical and cost prohibitive, highly controversial bill that would tag 25 cents onto our monthly utility bill will be approved, maybe the offshore drilling leases that will probably get passed this year will fund the program, but I think that everyone will be paid within this window. Why am I optimistic, in spite of Zac Anderson's doomsday vision? It is because his article is so determined to discourage anyone from installing solar. It is TOO negative for me to believe it is objective journalism. Does anyone else think it is odd that the article appeared 24 hours after a positive article on solar was published?

Another reason for my faith here, is because our legislators are elected officials. We the people have the power to vote them in, or vote them out. Let's assume Zac Anderson's scenario happens. By June 30th- there are $25 million wait-listed. Governor Crist gets his $10 million, or maybe only $2.5 million, that leaves $22.5 million UNPAID. That is a lot of really angry voters. And, I am sure that somewhere in those $22.5 million unpaid solar producers are quite a few smart lawyers who are probably already thinking about things like class action lawsuits. If they are not thinking about this, they will be if they don't get their rebate checks.

I think that the state is trying to limit the amount of money that will be wait listed by the end of June. Every time I read one of these doom and gloom articles, it makes me think that the politicians are doing what they do best, covering their political backsides. And for this reason, I don't think the legislators are going to stiff $25 million rebate constitutents. Just my opinion, for whatever it's worth.

Massachusettes Taps Federal Funds for Rebate Program

If Governor Charlie Crist has any doubt about the efficacy of using federal funds in the private sector to spur growth in solar jobs - he might want to look towards Massaschuttes for confirmation of actual job creation. As of today, Florida has LOST over 125 solar jobs directly related to the lack of rebate funding,and this number will grow every day until a viable rebate program is implemented. The question remains whether these 125+ jobs can afford to wait out the next six months until the existing solar rebate program closes?

The Patrick-Murray Administration's emphasis on solar power has spurred the growth of a vibrant solar industry in Massachusetts - expanding the number of solar installation contractors and subcontractors from roughly 50 in January 2008 to nearly 200 today. A recent survey of 98 solar PV manufacturers, integrators and installers revealed that these companies doubled their Massachusetts employment - from 1,086 to 2,075 - from 2007 to 2008, and expected to add another 960 employees during 2009. Eighty percent of these firms added employees in 2008, and all but 11 planned to expand their workforce this year.

Maybe Florida should take a look at the job creation numbers from a state that has fully committed to deploying renewable energy.

FP&L Overstates Job Creation

FP&L claims that they will create 100 jobs at the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center,however, this article in the Orlando Sentinel disabuses those job numbers by stating that there are 24 individuals working and they won't need to hire additional employees. Where are the additional 76 jobs?

Florida's Broken Solar Initiative

We have over 3700 individuals employed in the solar industry[1] in Florida who are now facing a critical downsizing due to the lack of funding for the final six months of the existing state rebate program. At 11.5% unemployment rate, we are expecting to lose approximately 425 existing green jobs over the next several months. It is clear that the existing rebate program is not sustainable for continued growth and needs to be reinvented as a production based or market based program. However, THIS is the mechanism that is in place until June 30, 2010, and given the climate of growing green jobs with the ARRA funding, it is necessary to step in and support these green jobs, not lose them, during this interim period.

In the next two weeks we will be sending Governor Crist and President Obama hard evidence that we are losing green jobs and will continue to lose green jobs until a new solar program is implemented. Each broken solar cell displays the name of an individual who has lost their job among FLASEIA's membership since June 2009 when the money ran out for this year's solar rebate program. Individuals and businesses in Florida are not willing to take a chance on installing solar now, and there is complete lack of confidence that the 2010 legislature will appropriate enough funding to cover those on the waiting list. Florida is broke. The only hope to continue the positive momentum until a new program can be implemented is to use federal funding to bridge the next six months. It is unconscionable that major grants are being awarded to the utilities and public sector while ignoring the solar entrepreneurs, the backbone of the solar industry in Florida since the 1980's.
The only green jobs that will grow during the next 6 months are in the public sector even though job creation per kW/SEP dollar is demonstratively higher in the private (non-utility) sector. While FP&L is surging ahead in cutting emissions, they are not creating a significant number of green jobs. DeSoto's 25MW plant created 400 jobs at peak, whereas $20,000,000 in additional rebate funding will create approximately 1500 jobs in the private sector. FP&L claims that the 10MW joint venture with NASA will create 100 jobs, however, the subcontractor, Hypower, claims that they have 24 workers installing 500-700 panels each day and will NOT have to hire additional employees. [2] Are these green jobs being overstated in order to attract federal dollars?

We are requesting, that Governor Crist intervenes so that an additional $20 million is injected into the existing rebate program from the $156 million SEP funding. An additional $20 million in rebate funding will be matched and leveraged into $55 million and create 1500 new green jobs. This equates to $13,333 in federal spending to create one job year, exceeding the Executive Office of the President and Council of Economic Advisors estimates of $92,000 of direct government spending to create one job-year[3] by nearly seven fold.

There are at least two programs where reallocation of funding would grow more jobs, put more dollars to work in the economy, and maximize annual energy savings, than as currently allocated; the Solar for Schools ($10 million) and the Florida Clean Energy Grant ($10 million).


The numbers and bottom line speaks for itself. Dollar for dollar the rebate program will create more jobs (1500 versus 248), will leverage more funds ($55 million versus $36.6 million), will cut more carbon emissions (48,000 tons versus 28,000 tons), will produce more MW of renewable energy (6.8 MW versus 3.8MW) than as currently allocated. We hope that you will wisely consider the financial impact of reallocating these funds immediately to protect the existing green jobs and create new ones during this interim period.

[1] From DBPR as of 12/24/2009: 404 Licensed Solar Contractors (CVC), 740 Electrical contractors (EC), 1331 (RX & CW), 2199 Plumbing Contractors (CF). To estimate industry size, 25% of CF (549) and 25% of EC (185) plus 50% support staff
[2] Orlando Sentinel, October 26, 2009. "A gang of about two-dozen workers is erecting 500 solar panels a dayat the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center, a projected started recently by Florida Power & Light. "We'll get up to 700, 800 (panels) a day," said Mike Arroyo, a superintendent with subcontractor HyPower, Inc., who said he won't need additional labor."
[3] May 2009 report "Estimates of Job Creation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" from the Executive Office of the President and Council of Economic Advisors
[4]FP&L Press Release May 27, 2009. The project has brought more than 200 construction jobs to DeSoto County.
[5] Labor costs calculated based on $3.50 per watt materials estimate.
[6] Job Creation Assumptions:9x10K systems for schools will provide 2 jobs per installation = 18 jobs46x 60K systems will provide 5 jobs per installation = 230 jobs1000x5K residential will provide 1.5 jobs per installations = 1500 jobs
[7] Matching funds in rebate program = 1,000 5K x $35,000 = $35,000,000Matching funds for FL Clean Energy is based on installing 46x60K commercial PV systems @ $6.00//watt x 46 install= $16,560,000
[8]Carbon savings over 10 yr. periods expressed from US EPA eGRID2007/Version 1.1 State files for Florida (year 2005 data) released Jan 2009
[9] Leveraged funds for FL Clean Energy based on assumption of 60% matching grant.
[10]10 Yr. Energy savings expressed in dollar amount based on FP&L's commercial and residential rates.Commercial rates = .11 per kWh, 6% inflation rate.Residential rates based on pre-taxed value of dollar (40%), includes 17% utility taxes and assumes 6% yearlyInflation rate (state average 2000-2007 per PSC) = .18 per kWh