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Integrity Florida, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute and government watchdog whose mission is to promote integrity in government and expose public corruption, has just released a scathing report on how utility companies influence the Florida legislature and utility regulators. While it’s not shocking to discover that big business uses big money to influence lawmakers, it does paint a picture of an incestuous club of cronyism that results in harm to the Florida energy consumer. Full disclosure: my company is currently embroiled in a battle with FPL over interpretation of the “Net Metering Rule,” 25-6.065, F.A.C., Interconnection and Net Metering of Customer-Owned Renewable Generation. I have requested informal assistanceRead More →

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If you are an FPL Netmetering customer with a solar electric system, you may have received an email recently describing changes to the program. All of these changes apply only to new Netmetering customers, and no action is needed for existing customers. The only significant change that applies to non-government entities is that a manual disconnect switch is no longer needed for new Tier 2 and Tier 3 interconnected systems (systems with a gross power rating exceeding 10kW). Specifically, the email addressed these following changes: Eliminating the requirement for a manual visual load break disconnect switch on U.L. 1741 listed inverter based renewable energy systems.Read More →

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  Learn how to use Sketchup 3D CAD Software! Sketchup is a 3D computer aided drafting (CAD) program that anyone can learn and use. Whether you are an architect that wants to start creating rich 3D presentation and construction drawings, a woodworking enthusiast needing to plan and visualize projects, a video game or animation artist, or just want to have fun creating in 3D, Sketchup has something for you! This will be a full day interactive event, starting with demonstrations in the morning on how Sketchup 2013 Free can be used for a variety of industries and hobbies. If you choose to stay for the afternoon session, youRead More →

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Florida House Bill 0277 (2013) has passed both the House and Senate unanimously. This bill makes official the de facto standard used by county property appraisers that excludes renewable energy (i.e. solar energy, wind energy) systems from assessed property values. This exclusion was inadvertently removed from law during a previous congress in 2008. Various attempts have been made to reenact the exemption, with no success until now. According to the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, “The bill implements a constitutional ballot initiative approved in the 2008 general election by Florida voters, which prohibits adding the value of certain home improvements specific to the installation andRead More →

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For the fourth year in a row, Fafco Solar will provide free solar energy to power the stage at the Earth Day event at Koreshan State Park in Estero Florida. Using its mobile solar generator designed an built by Jason Szumlanski, Fafco Solar will demonstrate the power of the sun and provide solar electricity for musicians and the PA system. Join Fafco Solar and all of the supporters of Earth Day this Saturday, April 20, 2013.    

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After an already depressed market in the first quarter of 2012, Florida’s solar electric installations fell to 18th among states in the second quarter of 2012 according to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s quarterly report. After rising to 14th among states in Q1 of this year, Florida regressed below it’s 2011 ranking of 17th among states. This follows a large spike in national solar electric installations with Florida installations remaining stagnant. To blame, in my opinion, is: Continued disruption caused by the FPL rebate program The lack of a cohesive policy in the state regarding renewable energy Lack of availability of financing and reasonable long-termRead More →

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Solar Power International (SPI), the world’s premier solar energy tradeshow, starts today in Orlando, Florida. After being held the last two years in Dallas and Los Angeles, SPI 2012 is a prime opportunity for solar professionals in Florida to attend the event closer to home. This is the time of year that the email autoresponders start working overtime. Solar manufacturer, supplier, dealer, and service provider facilities become ghost towns. Tons of email floods my inbox from exhibitors that want me to visit their booth. The solar industry essentially shuts down to focus for one week on what’s new. Exhibitors clamor for press coverage and recognition and attendees scurryRead More →

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With the fantastic monitoring tools available today, we can see exactly how much energy production drops on cloudy days and when storms pass by. Tropical Storm Isaac just passed by Southwest Florida, and I’ve been reviewing energy output from many of  the systems we have out there. Saturday and Sunday were completely cloud covered days. Sunday August 26, 2012 was not only cloudy, but it was dark and rainy virtually all day long. Despite the cloud cover, photovoltaic systems continued to put out significant amounts of energy. In general, most systems across Southwest Florida had production cut in half on Saturday and lost almost 3/4thsRead More →

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I’m at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Broadway Apartments affordable housing project where we have 40 solar water heating systems installed. This is the largest polymer solar collector water heating project in Florida! Solar water heating will reduce the electric bills for residents of the two-building multi-tenant property. The goal of the project is to provide affordable housing that features low utility bills in a LEED Platinum facility. The solar water heating systems were one part of the LEED criteria that allowed the Broadway Apartments to achieve Platinum status. The Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation reports that previous residents are already asking forRead More →

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This is my 100th blog post since I started Solar Southwest Florida in August 2011. It’s my first blog, although I have been a frequent contributor to online forums for years. I like to write and share insights, but hope my technical style doesn’t bore you to tears. I feel the content has been useful and informative, and would love your feedback! This also marks approximately two years employed by Fafco Solar. Solar is more than a career and an interest for me. For a decade of my life prior to my time at Fafco Solar, it was a necessity. My business, my life, andRead More →

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