Florida’s solar amendment is for real

Come November, Florida residents will see a new initiative on their ballots, called “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.” It’s commonly referred to as Amendment 1.

We the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) favor balanced and rational policies that encourage the deployment of solar technology in a way that benefits all consumers. So, too, it appears, does the state’s highest court.

The Florida Supreme Court recently issued a 4-3 decision in favor of Amendment 1, which is designed to promote the expansion of solar technology throughout the state while also bolstering the electric grid and ensuring that residents have affordable, reliable energy prices at all times.

That’s exceedingly pro-consumer — and fair — and why this initiative, unlike its rival, tallied the signatures it needed to make the ballot.

There’s more: Amendment 1 will, if passed, help residents decide whether installing a solar system on their home or business is right for them, and if so, which provider to go with.

It could also grant residents the ability to own or lease solar systems while generating electricity, which is key because leasing solar equipment in Florida is not yet legally authorized.

In other words, the ballot measure would make the installation of solar technology a right under law. Amendment 1 also makes sure consumers and businesses who don’t have solar panels installed are treated fairly.

Amendment 1 ensures that all buying and selling is done at a fair rate and that all consumers share grid maintenance costs equally and benefit from this initiative.

In the end, it’s about making sure all consumers in the Sunshine State benefit from the unprecedented shift in America’s electric grids and ensuring that energy policies are pro-solar, pro-grid, and pro-consumer — for everyone.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Florida’s solar amendment is for real."