Tag: Florida

REC Solar begins production on its new solar panels

Bret Williams
Solar Panels - Solar Energy Panel

Company has begun production on its TwinPeak 2 solar panels REC Solar, a company specializing in the manufacture of photovoltaic products, has become the largest solar manufacturer of solar panels in Europe. The company has now begun production on its new TwinPeak 2 solar panels, each of which can produce a maximum of 350 watts of electrical power. The new panels could further bolster the company’s position in the solar energy market, which is expanding at a rapid pace, especially in European countries that are showing a strong interest in…

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Florida utility unveils plans to develop new solar energy systems

Bret Williams
Solar Energy - Sunset at Sea in Florida

New solar projects announced by Florida Power & Light Florida Power & Light has announced plans to build eight new solar energy plants within the next 12 months. The utility will be developing these projects through its NextEra Energy subsidiary. These energy systems are expected to have some economic impact as they will help create new jobs and reduce reliance on fossil-fuels. Solar energy has growing in Florida at a relatively slow pace, partly due to the concerns of major utilities. This may be changing, however, as more companies begin…

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Florida utility aims to increase solar energy capacity

Stephen Vagus
Solar Energy - Solar Array

Florida Power & Light will build eight new solar energy systems The largest utility is Florida has plans to double its solar energy capacity in the coming year. Florida Power & Light has announced that it will build eight new solar farms by early 2018. These solar farms will feed energy into the state’s power grid. The endeavor will help bolster Florida’s solar energy market, which has been growing relatively slowly when compared to markets in other states. Building new solar projects could also have an economic impact on the…

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Residential solar energy is gaining ground despite opposition from retailers

Erin Kilgore

Utilities are unable to stop the growth of residential solar energy Solar energy is quickly gaining popularity within the residential sector of the United States. Rooftop solar has become a very attractive prospect for many homeowners, especially now that photovoltaic systems are becoming much less expensive. Rooftop solar power systems are used as a way to allow homeowners to generate their own electrical power. These energy systems have, however, come under fire from utilities, many of whom suggest that solar power could great significant price disparity among consumers. Voters chose…

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Controversy explodes in Florida’s solar energy space

Erin Kilgore

Leaked recording highlights potential political deception Political controversy is brewing in Florida. This controversy has come to surround Amendment 1, which seeks to make major changes to the way solar energy works in the state. The political committee behind this amendment has erased nearly all references made to the James Madison Institute on its social media sites. This comes after a leaked recording during which the group’s policy director suggested that utilities were attempting to deceive voters into believing that Amendment 1 is a pro-solar measure. Amendment 1 could completely…

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Florida voters have a chance to determine the future of solar energy

Alicia Moore

Rooftop solar faces a major decision in Florida Rooftop solar energy is at risk in Florida, and voters have a chance to determine its future. A new measure is on the ballot for Florida and, if approved, it will grant consumers the right to own or lease solar panels and other photovoltaic equipment. It would also prohibit utilities from charging solar customers more for the electricity they consume. Many of the state’s utilities are opposing the measure, hoping to keep hold of the increasingly competitive energy market in Florida. Utilities…

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Florida amendment could improve solar energy adoption

Tami Hood

Voters will have a chance to determine the future of solar energy in Florida Voters in Florida will soon have the opportunity to voice their opinion concerning the use of renewable energy.  In November, consumers will be able to vote on the Florida Solar Energy Subsidies and Personal Solar Use initiative, also known as Amendment 3. The amendment is meant to ensure that those not using solar energy will not have to pay for solar projects. The amendment also seeks to prevent those using solar power from selling the electricity…

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Proposal in Florida aims to support residential solar energy

Erin Kilgore

Voters could determine the fate of solar power in Florida Voters in Florida will have a chance to make their voice heard on August 30 regarding a tax break focused on renewable energy. The tax break concerns clean power systems, particularly those harnessing solar energy, being installed on residential properties. Residential solar energy has been seeing strong growth in recent years as more homeowners look to embrace clean power as a way to save money and become more environmentally friendly. The tax break has made it easier for these homeowners…

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Gulf Power aims to expand its place in the Florida wind energy sector

Bret Williams

Utility seeks permission to expand capacity at one of its wind farms Gulf Power, an investor owner energy utility, has announced plans to expand its efforts in the wind energy sector. The company has petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission to approve a new project that would expand its wind capacity. The project involves installing some 94 megawatts of capacity at one of Gulf Power’s wind farms. The endeavor is predicted to benefit some homeowners. As a result, more homeowners are expected to show support for wind power. The project…

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Groups battle over the solar energy rules of Florida

Stephen Vagus

Groups are seeking to make changes to the state’s policies concerning solar energy Two groups are looking to make changes to the Florida Constitution in hopes of supporting solar energy in some way. Both of these groups are funneling money into efforts to change state laws and regulations, and the effects that these changes have on the state’s solar market could be considerable. The first group, Consumers for Smart Solar, is supporting a pro-utility amendment, hoping to maintain the state’s current solar practices to some degree. Floridians for Solar Choice,…

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Florida Supreme Court approves initiative concerning solar energy

Stephen Vagus

New initiative seeks to make solar energy more available in Florida The Florida Supreme Court has approved a new ballot initiative that aims to expand the state’s use of solar energy. The decision could have significant political ramifications, as it places renewable energy at the forefront of legislative debates. Many of the state’s lawmakers have come out in support of solar power, but others believe it is a costly investment with minimal returns. Whatever the case may be, Florida does intend to become more environmentally friendly, and solar energy may…

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Solar energy may be a disruptive force for the fossil-fuel sector

Stephen Vagus

Solar power is growing in strength Solar energy may become a disruptive force in the overall energy industry. Throughout the United States, support for solar power has been growing aggressively. Consumer advocacy groups and environmental activists have been focused on promoting the benefits of solar power over more conventional forms of energy, suggesting that solar may be the best way to fight climate change and build a sustainable future. With the cost of solar energy continuing to fall, this may very well be the case. Green Technologies highlights the economic…

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Solar energy hits roadblocks in Florida

Stephen Vagus

Florida’s solar energy adoption is slowing to a crawl As energy costs continue to grow, more people in Florida are looking for alternatives to conventional forms of power. The state ranks third in the nation in solar energy capacity, but is 13th when it comes to solar installations. Approximately less than 1% of the state’s energy is generated from solar power systems, with only 6,600 consumers receiving energy from solar sources. Efforts to expand the state’s solar energy installations have stagnated, and state legislators may not be helping the issue.…

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Climate change is a serious issue, says Obama

Amanda Giasson

The U.S. President visited Florida on Earth Day to address changing climate issues. On Wednesday, April 22, Earth Day, U.S. President Barack Obama traveled to Florida and delivered a speech at Everglades National Park to highlight the impact of climate change on the United States economy and, according to Time, the visit occurred only one day after the White House announced measures that would support national parks and prepare communities throughout America for storms resulting from climate change. Obama believes that issues caused by the changing environment need to be…

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Legislation in Florida aims to make electric vehicles more affordable

John Max

Sales tax on electric vehicles could be cut due to new legislation New legislation has been introduced in Florida that could remove the sales tax on electric vehicles. Called Senate Bill 864, the legislation was introduced by Senator Darren Soto and may help the state become a prominent market for electric vehicles. These vehicles have been growing in popularity for some time, but sales have been slow because of the relatively high cost of electric vehicles. Without sales tax, more consumers may be inclined to purchase these vehicles. If successful,…

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Florida coalition aims to support solar energy

Angie Bergenson

New coalition formed in Florida to highlight the benefits of solar power A new coalition that aims to support solar energy has been formed in Florida. The coalition is comprised of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. These organization suggest that the state’s laws and it’s investor-owned utilities have slowed the adoption of solar power throughout Florida.  As such, the coalition will work to highlight the benefits of solar power and provide insight on what can be…

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