Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 23, 2017

A familiar narrative in the debate over solar energy in Florida follows a “David and Goliath” theme. Cast as Goliath are the state’s largest utilities; playing David are “little guy” rooftop solar companies trying to make it in the utility’s shadow. However, a recent New York Times article rejects that account, exposing some of the […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 20, 2017

Florida Power & Light Co. is doubling down on solar power, announcing Monday a significant expansion of renewable energy production through next year. FPL, currently the largest generator of solar energy in Florida, will build eight new universal solar power plants by early 2018 – boosting its production with more than 2.5 million solar panels. […]

Michael MolineNovember 29, 2016

The Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved a compromise rate increase for Florida Power & Light Co. that will cost customers $811 million over four years. The utility had sought $1.3 billion, but agreed to the compromise with large customers and the Office of Public Counsel, which represents ratepayers before Florida’s utility regulating body. The […]

Scott PowersNovember 9, 2016

Amendment 1, the initiative that sought to restrict commerce of solar energy, did not cross the 60 percent approval threshold in any of Florida’s 20 most populous counties. It came close in a couple, getting 59.6 percent in Duval and 56.2 percent in Miami-Dade. But Amendment 2 got clobbered in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, […]

Peter SchorschOctober 13, 2016

Electrical workers have joined Florida firefighters and others in supporting the constitutional amendment to expand solar energy in the Sunshine State. On Thursday, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) announced its endorsement of the Consumers for Smart Solar, the coalition of business, civic, and faith leaders behind Florida Constitutional Amendment 1 on the Nov. […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

As solar energy expands across Florida, firefighters say uniform rules on the installation and maintenance of solar panels are necessary to keep first responders safe in case of emergencies at places producing solar energy. That’s why the Florida Professional Firefighters are the latest group supporting the constitutional amendment to promote solar energy production throughout the […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 30, 2016

Most Floridians say they are backing a solar amendment on the ballot this November, even though they may not be entirely sure what it will do. POLITICO Florida is reporting on a new St. Leo University poll that voters are strongly behind the solar ballot initiative Amendment 1, which claims to give Florida residents the […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 16, 2016

In the Aug. 30 primary, Florida voters made it unmistakably clear how they feel about solar energy. Nearly 73 percent of them voted to approve an amendment providing a tax break for businesses that convert to solar power. That was just what backers of clean energy in Florida wanted, of course. Now they have a […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 15, 2016

Florida’s top utility is kicking its solar capacity into high gear, celebrating the halfway mark of an audacious goal of one million solar panels in operation by the end of 2016. Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest solar power generator, announced Thursday the installation of its 500,000th solar panel, part of a plan to […]

Michael MolineSeptember 14, 2016

The lights seem likely to stay on in Florida for the next 10 years, utility industry representatives told the Public Service Commission Wednesday. Reserve margins for the electricity supply should exceed 20 percent during that time, due to increased reliance on natural gas — projected to hold steady at 65 percent of supply. Renewable energy […]

Tag: solar energy

SolarCity’s questionable business practices a warning for Florida solar debate?

FPL to build 8 new Florida solar energy plants, add 2.5M panels by 2018

PSC approves compromise $811 million rate increase for Florida Power

Solar energy Amendment 1 falls short almost everywhere

Electrical Workers Union latest group saying ‘yes’ to Florida solar Amendment 1

Florida firefighters say solar Amendment 1 ‘protects first responders’

Polling shows voters support solar Amendment 1, without understanding what it does

Joe Henderson: For solar energy supporters, Amendment 1 raises red flags

FPL halfway to sunny goal of 1 million solar panels installed by year’s end

Florida utilities keeping up with demand for electricity