WHY SHOULD YOU CARE

ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY?

“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait

until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”

Thomas Edison

IMPORTANT: SOLAR HELPS EVERYONE!!!!

Studies show Rooftop Solar Helps EVERYONE…HOW?

• Helps prevent need for EXPENSIVE new power plants: biggest cause of rate increases

• Reduces costly upgrades to grid• Improves air and water quality• Stabilizes prices• Promotes energy security• Keeps billions invested here for a stronger economy

Brookings Report: Rooftop Solar: Net Metering is a NET Benefit, May 2016

FLORIDA TODAY

Enormous potential:

Experts say we should be in the top THREE states.

Lagging behind:

Florida is # 14-20 in solar installations.

More population’s coming:

Today – 20.3 million 2040 – 26 million

SOLAR KEEPS JOBS AND MONEY IN FLORIDA

USING OUR HOMEGROWN ENERGY SOURCE

US Department of Energy

Floridians Pay 40% more than the National Average

FLORIDA LAW

• EVERYONE/ANYONE can put solar on their roof: HOA cannot prevent

• Requires Utilities to offer Net Metering: Buy Back Unused Power

FLORIDA LAW

• Residential solar installation

COSTS are EXEMPT from

both property AND sales tax

Commercial Taking Off!

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

ONLY 1/10 OF 1% FROM SOLAR

KNOWLEDGE PRICE

CONSUMERS FACE TWO BARRIERS

TO SOLAR ADOPTION

PROVEN SOLUTION:

Community SOLAR CO-OPERATIVES

Making solar EASY, UNDERSTANDABLE and

AFFORDABLE!

SOLARPUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS

Meetings provide:• Solar knowledge• Solar Co-op benefits• Solar financing

options

Houses with solar are worth more, resulting in higher value. And the value of solar array is not taxed.

BOTTOMLINE

Jim Fenton, Director of UCF’sFlorida Solar Energy Center

“With an estimated 14% return, rooftop solar is the best investment today a homeowner in Florida can make.”

Jim Fenton, PhD, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center , UCF

on cost of electricity

“Rooftop PV solar is now 4 cents per kilowatt hour with the Co-op vs 12 cents on average for current retail for fossil fuel”

Results vary by roof, region and utility.

BUT: What is the Return on Investment?

From Dr. Jim Fenton FSECNote: Results vary by roof, region and utility

PV MAGAZINE

Solar Payoff for Homeowners?

• Savings on electric bills starting with hook up

• Recouping the PV System cost when selling: new installations valued at

almost new price older installs valued at

depreciated price

Source: 2015 DOE study “Selling into the Sun” of 8 states including Florida

So what is FL SUN? and

What is a Solar Cooperative?

• Homeowners form a buyers’ cooperative

• The Co-op bundles the group’s buying power

• Members use free-market approach in competitive bidding process to select installer and secure significant discounts on rooftop solar system

What is a Solar Cooperative?

(more)

• Each homeowner contracts individually with the Co-op’s selected installer

• No obligation or commitment by Co-op participant to sign the contract unless homeowner wants to proceed

League of Women Voters chapters statewide

Southern Al l iance for Clean Energy, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, BarancikFoundation

Sierra Club

County Governments: BROWARD, ORANGE, MIAMI DADE

Cit ies: Orlando, Rockledge Gardens, Satell i te Beach, South Miami, many more

Florida Green Building Council

Florida House Institute

Unitarian Church - UU

UCF Sustainabil ity

Barry Law School, Center for Earth Jurisprudence

Winter Park Garden Club

Northland Distr ibuted Church

MANY CO-OP PARTNERS

• Solar reduces

utility bills,

consumers save

money

• Solar increases

property values

RESULTS of Co-ops?

Florida’s Solar Future is in OUR HANDS…..

Source: dreamstime

Let’s Get Going!

LET’S REALLY MAKE FLORIDA-

THE SUNSHINE STATE!

WWW.FLSUN.org

To volunteer contact:FloridaLeague@earthlink.net