The Solar Net Metering, House Bill 741 passes in Florida, Now What?

Early this month the  Florida senate enacted House Bill 741, which  reduces the value of net metering and allows utilities to add fixed charges to solar customer bills, dealing a serious blow to the state’s burgeoning solar rooftop business. FLASEIA, Vote Solar, and other advocacy groups in the state have indicated they will now ask Governor Ron Desantis to veto the law.

Payments to solar consumers will descend from a retail rate, like the one they pay utilities at approximately 10 cents per kilowatt, to the "avoided cost" to the utility, which is a fraction of the retail rate, once the law takes effect in 2023. In four years, the phaseout will decrease solar users' payment rates by half, and by 2029, they will be at the avoidedcost rate.

Starting in 2026, the bill allows for set costs connected to solar consumers. The bill's broad phrasing makes it impossible to establish a limit on the fixed rates. Similar payments were proposed as “a tax on the sun” in the now-stalled California Net Energy Metering 3.0 bill.

“This bill is a nightmare for anyone who believes in energy freedom and the rights of people to choose the energy that works for them and their families. Net metering has helped over 100,000 Florida homeowners make that choice, and utilities are now banking on the state government to strip those rights away and pad their monopoly hold on electricity. Florida has seen its solar industry grow to employ 11,000 people and generate over $10 billion in economic activity. States that enact bad legislation like this will see much of that business growth disappear, and we’re urging Governor Desantis to veto the bill and maintain Florida’s place as a national energy leader. This is a simple choice between helping the monopolies and helping the people.” Will Giese, southeast regional director, Solar Energy Industries Association.

Florida voters were divided on the bill, with both Republicans and Democrats opposing it. According to a Mason Dixon poll,  74 percent of Republicans and 94 percent

 of Democrats want net metering to be preserved.  According to the same poll, 68 percent of respondents said utilities should make it easier, not harder to install

rooftop solar. The bills, which are based on the concept of the “cost shift” are marketed as a way to safeguard non-solar consumers from rising rates by cross-

-subsidizing solar users. According to studies conducted by Berkeley National Lab, solar has a small cost increase in 40 of the 43 states and Washington D.C.

that have net metering systems. The Berkeley study found that cost pressures from net metering don’t start making a tangible effect until solar penetration

reaches 10%. Florida is nowhere near this figure, with 0.86% of households currently topped with solar.

So What Now?

Solar net metering is supported by 93 percent of Floridians. House Bill 741 and Senate Bill 1024 propose modifications to net metering that would devastate

Florida's burgeoning rooftop solar industry results in the loss of thousands of solar jobs.

To defeat HB 741 and SB 1024, tens of thousands of people have spoken out to your politicians via emails, tweets, phone calls, in-person meetings, and even a massive rally at the Capitol.

These bills passed the House and Senate despite the pressure. HB 741 is currently on its way to the Governor's desk. Governor DeSantis has the power to veto this law and save solar in Florida with a stroke of his pen.

Solar United Neighbors has made it easy to be heard by simply Clicking This Link to email and tweet

Governor DeSantis. Ask him to veto HB 741.