Going solar in Florida

Tallahassee residents and commercial property owners may qualify for specialized loans to finance new solar PV, thermal, or HVAC projects. Other energy efficiency improvements may also qualify for special financing. The current APR is 5% on a maximum $20,000 principal. Applicants are required to undergo an energy audit to verify solar access. Once permits are approved and the promissory note is signed, installation can begin. Qualifying systems include those certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center. Solar water heaters may not qualify for financing if they will replace a natural gas system. Additional information is available from the Tallahassee city website.

Residential customers with the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative may be entitled to rebates on energy-efficient systems and components. Available programs will vary from time to time. Current rebate offers include HVAC, ductwork, insulation/weatherization, windows, roofing, and weather-stripping. Customers must apply for a rebate before purchasing the applicable product(s). The application process involves a property audit with an FKEC professional; only improvements the auditor recommends will be approved for incentives. There is no fee or required purchase commitment to have an audit done. Additional information is available from the FKEC website.

Residential and commercial Clay Electric Cooperative members may be eligible for special financing on energy-efficient thermal upgrades, including solar water and pool heating. Interest rates will vary but remain consistently low. Applicants should have been CEC members for more than one year. A $25 administrative processing fee should be attached to the application paperwork. Reviewers will consider credit and CEC bill payment history. Members are also required to undergo an energy audit to verify solar access. Additional information is available from the CEC website.

Residential and commercial Clay Electric Cooperative members may be eligible for special financing on energy-efficient thermal upgrades, including solar water and pool heating. Interest rates will vary but remain consistently low. Applicants should have been CEC members for more than one year. A $25 administrative processing fee should be attached to the application paperwork. Reviewers will consider credit and CEC bill payment history. Members are also required to undergo an energy audit to verify solar access. Additional information is available from the CEC website.

Tallahassee residents may be entitled to a financial incentive from the city upon making certain energy efficiency improvements. Available offers will vary from time to time; current programs cover HVAC, solar water heating, natural gas, home ENERGY STAR certification, and ENERGY STAR large appliances. Additional information and application forms are available from the Tallahassee website.

Residential or commercial Lakeland Electric customers may be eligible for specialized energy efficiency loans to fund improvement projects. Loans are interest-free and may be in any amount from $500 to $5,000. Funding can be used to purchase and install solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, solar thermal systems, HVAC systems, windows, or insulation/weatherization. Processing fees apply at the beginning of the loan; they will appear as a charge on customer utility bills. Monthly payments after fees will be collected by LE's banking partners. Additional information is available through the LE website.

Certain "green construction" projects in West Miami or unincorporated regions of Miami-Dade County may be eligible for expedited permit review. Any project certified under a reputable energy efficiency metric (LEED, ENERGY STAR, etc.) is eligible regardless of its purpose and zoning location. Expedited permits are also available for new solar PV and thermal systems, and some energy-efficient improvements may not require permits at all. Additional information is available from the Miami-Dade County website.

Florida has offered dedicated solar contracting licenses in some form for the past several decades. Current licensing options allow a contractor to conduct a broad variety of solar work, including PV systems, water heating, pool heating, and HVAC on any property type. Despite the scope of Florida licensure, solar contractors may need to yield to roofing contractors for some panel installations. Applicants for licensure should have four years of practical and/or educational experience and at least one year of supervision experience. They must also pass an exam. Additional information is available through the FLASEIA website.

Residential Orlando Utilities Commission customers undertaking energy efficiency improvements may be eligible for rebates. Available incentive programs and eligible projects will vary from time to time. Current programs cover windows and screens, insulation/weatherization, ductwork, and geothermal pumps. The application process involves a simple form with proof of purchase attached. Once approved, OUC will apply the rebate amount to the customer's bill. Information on current programs is available from the OUC website.

The Jackson Energy Authority has previously agreed to renewable energy and anti-pollution goals in conjunction with the American Lung Association and Sierra Club. The first of these goals, set in 1999, required the Authority to generate 7.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2015. Currently, the JEA grid can distribute 95 MW of renewably-sourced energy per year from area solar farms, biomass/biogas plants, and wind turbines.

Residential Jackson Energy Authority customers who purchase and install new solar water heaters may be eligible for a $400 incentive. Eligible projects include both new installation and retrofits. Only water heaters may earn rebates; pool heaters are not applicable. Incentives may be prorated if their total exceeds that of the combined purchase price and installation costs. Additional information is available from the JEA website.

Tallahassee residents, builders, or landlords may be entitled to a $450 rebate on new or replacement solar water heaters (pool heaters are ineligible). During the application process, customers are required to undergo an energy audit with the city to verify solar access. Once permits are obtained, the customer may choose a participating solar contractor/plumber for installation. The rebate will be awarded upon the system passing its final city inspection. Certain technical requirements apply, including mandatory freeze protection. Additional information is available from the Tallahassee city website.

Residential and commercial Clay Electric Cooperative members may be eligible for special financing on various energy efficiency projects. The maximum available principal is $7,500 with varying interest rates and payment plans. The program is only applicable to residents of fourteen northern peninsular counties, including the cities of Gainesville, Lake City, Keystone Heights, and Salt Springs. Administrative and processing fees are $25. Additional information is available from the CEC website.

Residential Clay Electric Cooperative members may be entitled to rebates should they install a new active or passive solar water heater. Rebate amounts vary depending on capacity, but they top out at $600 for a 60,000 BTU system. Qualifying systems should satisfy state standards and be installed by a participating solar contractor. Additional information is available from the CEC website.

Residential Beaches Energy Services customers may be entitled to a $500 one-time rebate upon installation of a new solar water heater. A qualifying system must meet FSEC state standards, and its installation should be supervised by a state-licensed solar contractor. Within 60 days of the water heater's installation, customers may download an incentive application form from the BES website. Applications will be reviewed and rebates awarded within four to six weeks.

The Voluntary Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (VEERE) program is a PACE program co-managed by Miami-Dade County and the Ygrene Energy Fund. The program exists as an "open marketplace" for commercial property owners to acquire offers and financing on energy efficiency improvement projects. Under the program, owners may utilize the marketplace to communicate directly with the lenders and contractors of their choice and arrange a specialized energy efficiency loan secured by a property tax lien. Residential property may not be eligible for participation due to FHFA regulations. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not accept mortgages on properties with active PACE liens. Additional information is available from the county website.

Residential or commercial Lakeland Electric customers may be eligible for specialized energy efficiency loans to fund improvement projects. Loans are interest-free and may be in any amount from $500 to $5,000. Funding can be used to purchase and install solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, solar thermal systems, HVAC systems, windows, or insulation/weatherization. Processing fees apply at the beginning of the loan; they will appear as a charge on customer utility bills. Monthly payments after fees will be collected by LE's banking partners. Additional information is available through the LE website.

Tallahassee residents and businesses making certain energy efficiency improvements or installing a new renewable generation system may be eligible for special financing through one of the city's lending partners. Current rates are 5% APR on a maximum principal of $10,000. If the applicant is installing only efficient roofing or a solar PV system, the maximum principal increases to $20,000. Additional information, financing partners, and application documents are available on the Tallahassee website.

Florida has operated the statewide Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) since 2010. SELF operates as a nonprofit agency offering special financing to certain homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements. SELF loans can pay for new HVAC, roofing, insulation, windows/doors, and accessibility products. Loans may also be used to install new solar PV, water heating, or space heating systems. Interest rates may vary, but they will remain consistently low. The maximum principal is currently $50,000. Additional information is available from the SELF website.

The Florida Solar Energy Center, or FSEC, was established by an act of the state legislature in 1976. FSEC is responsible for establishing and updating state certification standards and codes for solar panels and related equipment used in the state. Any manufacturer may apply for FSEC certification. The Center will test product samples under both normal operation and extreme conditions. Periodic re-tests may be conducted to ensure continued compliance with amended standards. Additional information is available from the FSEC website.

Hillsborough County has its own "renewable energy codes" which property owners installing a new PV, solar thermal, or small wind system must meet. Below is a sampling of the most important regulations. For on-ground solar energy systems on farms or other lots of at least five acres, new systems may have a maximum height of 15 feet with all wiring located underground. They should be fenced in and "set back" at least 50 feet from all lot lines. For small wind energy systems, height limits of 45 feet in residential areas and 120 feet in other areas apply. The county requires turbine noise to be kept to a minimum and all precautions to be taken to protect birds and other wildlife. Regulations are not limited to the above. Additional information and guidelines are available from the county website.

Through the Florida PACE program, both residential and commercial property owners may utilize an "open marketplace" to acquire offers and financing on energy efficiency improvement projects. Effectively, PACE loans come from the state government. Payments are not collected by conventional means; rather, local assessors will service the loan by placing a non-accelerated lien (senior to mortgages) on the property. This means that should the owner sell or transfer their property, payments will become the responsibility of the new owner. PACE markets are only open in certain Florida counties, and each market operates under differing policies. For residential PACE applicants, certain safeguards including loss reserve funds and disclosures are in place per FHFA directives. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cannot acquire a mortgage with a PACE lien due to its seniority. Additional information is available through the Florida PACE website.

To promote the adoption and installation of solar systems, Broward County has adopted a solar rights ordinance. No association or municipality may enact a complete ban on rooftop solar panels. However, the county has established a set of "solar codes" for new renewable energy installations to follow. For example, solar panels cannot extend five feet higher than a flat roof or above the apex of a slanted roof. Solar permits in the county do not override reasonable regulations which may be set by HOAs or localities. Further, they may not be used by themselves to justify landscaping for solar access (i.e. tree removal or trimming.) Additional information is available from the county website.

A 2007 law requires the Floridian government to adopt energy-efficient building and generation standards. Currently, the state must cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2025. Any new construction should be designed to achieve an optimum ratio of LEED certification level to project cost. Where it is financially sustainable, new state buildings and public schools should seek to adopt at least a solar thermal system for water and space heating. Compliance is enforced through a group of specialized green building inspectors trained at local community colleges. Occasionally, the state may enter contracts with existing buildings to provide assistance with energy efficiency and other sustainable improvements.

Due to Miami-Dade County's hurricane-prone location, property owners must abide by unique requirements when installing new solar systems. Solar permits are obtained from the county rather than individual municipalities. Permit applications must include a roof plan including drawings of the solar installation's structure and electrical layout. More information on solar codes is listed on the application form itself, available from the county website.

Go SOLAR is the new online portal for solar equipment permits in Broward County. Any residential or small business property may use the system for their regulatory needs when installing a new PV system. Go SOLAR's design has allowed the county to condense solar permit applications to one common form. Applicants are limited to selecting from a finite list of "pre-authorized" designs and plans; while they may submit their own documentation for a custom design, they must do so in person. Additional information is available through the portal itself.

Homeowners in Lauderhill who install new ENERGY STAR certified appliances, tankless water heaters, or solar PV/thermal systems may be eligible to finance their investment through a city program. The program offers individual loans ranging from $400 to $2,000 and repayment plans up to two years in length. Loans only cover costs included in a contractor bid; the homeowner is responsible for paying any other costs. For solar-related projects, the city will disburse 90% of the approved loan amount to the contractor prior to installation. The remaining 10% has its hold released upon completion and final inspection by the city. Additional information and application paperwork is available through the City of Lauderhill website.

Ocala residents and businesses undertaking energy efficiency improvements may be entitled to rebates from the city. Available incentive programs and eligible projects will vary from time to time. Current programs target insulation/weatherization, lighting, HVAC, home appliances, heat pumps, and solar water heating. Once an application form is approved, the city will apply the rebate amount as a monthly bill credit. Information on current programs is available from the city's Utility Services website.

Residential or commercial Lakeland Electric customers may be eligible for specialized energy efficiency loans to fund improvement projects. Loans are interest-free and may be in any amount from $500 to $5,000. Funding can be used to purchase and install solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, solar thermal systems, HVAC systems, windows, or insulation/weatherization. Processing fees apply at the beginning of the loan; they will appear as a charge on customer utility bills. Monthly payments after fees will be collected by LE's banking partners. Additional information is available through the LE website.

Residential Fort Pierce Utilities Authority customers who install a new solar water heater may be eligible for a $450 one-time rebate. Eligible projects include both new installations and retrofits; pool heaters do not qualify for incentives. Customers must use a participating contractor for installation work. Additional information is available through the FPUA website.