Floridians, please ask the governor to veto HB 741, which would gut rooftop solar power.

Here’s how to reach him:

(850) 717-9337

GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com

Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

GismoPower solar carport roof

Here’s why. Ryan Kennedy, PV Magazine, March 8, 2022, Anti-rooftop solar net metering bill passes in Florida,

House Bill 741 was passed by the Florida Legislature. The rate paid by utilities to rooftop solar owners for excess electricity sent back to the grid is set to be phased down to a fraction of its original rate. It also opens the door for unlimited fixed fees to be levied on solar customers.

I already have gotten stuck with a fixed monthly charge and reduced “avoided cost” payments for my rooftop solar power. Fortunately, mine was already paid off. Yours would be very hard to pay for under these conditions. So please ask the Florida governor to veto HB 741.

Looks like GismoPower will find customers elsewhere than Florida unless the governor vetoes this bill. Staff, Sarasota Magazine, January 4, 2022, New College Student Awarded Federal Grant for Solar Carport: Antonia Ginsberg-Klemmt invented GismoPower, a portable, solar-powered carport,

New College of Florida physics and environmental studies student Antonia Ginsberg-Klemmt was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for her invention GismoPower, a portable, solar-powered vehicle carport. The recognition comes with a $50,000 grant by the department to further develop the invention.

HB 741 was written by FPL. Why would FPL want this? FPL can charge you for the utility-scale solar fields it builds. Rooftop solar power cuts into FPL’s profits, especially because it reduces what you pay FPL in the middle of the say when air conditioners are running.

As I wrote in December, Florida is just the latest state where the American Legislative Exchange (ALEC)’s draft bill has gotten passed.

ALEC and FPL and the proponents of HB 741 claim rooftop solar is subsidized by other rate payers. As I summarized, actually, rooftop solar reduces electric utility costs, and thus costs to other utility customers.

What rooftop solar eats into is utility profits. Why should a regulated utility favor its profits over its customers?

Please call or write the Florida governor and ask him to veto HB 741.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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