Is It Illegal To Use Solar Panels In Florida

However seeing how this is the sunshine state there s always solar panels right.

Is it illegal to use solar panels in florida.

Most states use the power purchase agreement ppa which allows a utility company or other energy provider to own a home s solar panel system and then sell that home the electricity at a cheaper rate. An association may require approval of a system installation and may establish restrictions for installations. Solar power can work without the grid. Unfortunately this model is illegal in florida and therefore it has been much harder for policymakers to figure out an effective alternative.

People with rooftop solar the state s logic goes are providing a utility and all utilities must be. The florida solar rights act florida law forbids any entity including homeowner associations from prohibiting the installation of solar or other renewable energy devices on florida buildings. It may have ravaged much of the caribbean but hurricane irma weakened mercifully quickly as it passed over. Florida is one of five states that specifically prohibit this kind of third party ownership.

That s not to say florida s solar use is nonexistent or even not growing it is and in a big way. Florida statute actually makes it unlawful for any entity block residents from having solar panels. The purpose of solar is not only to provide cleaner energy but also to cut down on utility bills. Importantly it is not actually illegal to power your home with solar panels in florida.

Further fpl doesn t mandate that solar panels power down if the grid goes offline in a crisis. Solar energy is the state s most abundant energy resource and estimates have placed the state s potential at 2 902 gw which would produce about 5 274 479 gwh an amount much larger than the state and countries s total electricity consumption of 231 210 gwh and 4 125 060 gwh in 2010. The storm cut the power to around 40 of florida and there are still at least a million people who still have no electricity. Well in florida you cannot use solar panels to power your home because it is illegal.