Mitch Perry
A bill that would place a renewable energy tax exemption amendment on the ballot in 2016 has been introduced in the Florida Senate by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes. The legislation, SB 170, would create an abatement on tangible personal property tax assessed against renewable energy devices.
As Brandes explains, many owners of large-scale corporate locations won’t purchase solar panels for their roof, but they would prefer to lease them from a renewable energy company.
“How many companies are able to install panels on people’s homes because the cost up front is so expensive?” he said.
Brandes has proposed similar legislation over the past regular sessions in Tallahassee. The bill had potential this past spring, having passed through several committees, but never received a final vote in the aborted last week of the session.
“I’m incredibly excited about the future of solar in Florida,” the Pinellas lawmaker said.
In 2008, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to provide a tax exemption for renewable energy improvements made to residential properties. It passed with 61 percent support.
