The scorching warmth that often accompanies summer time is right here to remain, and meaning Floridians will likely be cranking up their air conditioners.
Families attempt to keep snug indoors, inflicting their utility payments to rise with the temperature exterior. The warmth, mixed with continued price will increase from our state’s largest utilities, is an ideal storm for increased utility payments. Fortunately, many Floridians can reap the benefits of solar-energy expertise, value, and reliability enhancements to assist them cut back their electrical energy payments.
In the final decade, the price of photo voltaic vitality in Florida has dropped by greater than 50%. This dramatic decline highlights the rising affordability and enchantment of rooftop solar energy, enabling extra Floridians to reap the benefits of renewable vitality advantages.
As a photo voltaic engineer on lots of of photo voltaic tasks over the previous 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of photo voltaic within the Sunshine State. This new, limitless supply of vitality brings value financial savings, resilience within the face of pure disasters, and financial progress.
Financially, photo voltaic vitality is extra engaging as a result of decrease set up prices and utility electrical energy changing into dearer yearly. Homeowners throughout the state can anticipate to avoid wasting 50% or extra on the vitality facet of their utility payments. These financial savings can quantity to 1000’s of {dollars} relying on the dimensions of the home and its vitality effectivity.
Solar panels are constructed to final for many years, and ample proof from hurricane-prone areas present that the panels not solely shield but in addition strengthen roofs, serving to to safe roof shingles or tiles that could possibly be broken by a extreme storm.
On prime of that, when rooftop photo voltaic is paired with battery storage, it might probably assist preserve the lights on when the remainder of the neighborhood goes darkish. After Hurricane Ian devastates Southwest Florida in 2022, for instance, a household managed to maintain their home sturdy due to rooftop photo voltaic — even operating the neighbor’s fridge that all-important drugs can keep chilly.
In addition to decreasing vitality prices for particular person owners, the photo voltaic business has grow to be a strong engine for job creation in Florida. The state ranks second within the nation in photo voltaic employment, boasting greater than 40,000 photo voltaic jobs. This inflow of jobs strengthens the native financial system whereas supporting group resilience by growing a powerful and sustainable vitality sector.
What ought to Florida residents take into account when utilizing the facility and advantages of photo voltaic vitality? Investing in a photo voltaic vitality system is similar to upgrading your own home with a brand new air conditioner, reworking your toilet or kitchen, or putting in a swimming pool. As with these different residence enhancements, it is crucial for owners to first take the time to grasp their buy and thoroughly choose licensed installers of their space.
Fortunately, there are lots of dependable, hardworking Florida installers who fastidiously observe engineering requirements, structural inspections, constructing codes, and producer specs.
Critics argue that house owner’s insurance coverage can go up after a photo voltaic vitality system is put in — however that is the identical for different residence enchancment tasks. Insurance premiums are based mostly on the worth of the house, and a photo voltaic vitality system will enhance the worth of the house.
The Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) offers client assets for owners and lists of member corporations that reveal a dedication to the native business. Homeowners ought to verify with the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP) to substantiate that their salesperson, designer, installer, and firm are NABCEP licensed.
Unlike most residence enhancements, photo voltaic vitality is an funding that helps the setting and pays for itself. But photo voltaic vitality affords Florida owners extra than simply value financial savings – it is a sensible alternative that will increase property stability, creates jobs, and helps our native financial system.
By selecting photo voltaic, Floridians aren’t simply saving on their payments — they’re contributing to a brighter, extra sustainable setting.
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Marc LopataPE, is the President and Principal Engineer of Tampa-based Solar Island Energy.
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