Florida is the SUNSHINE state has problems to develop Solar

Florida solar energy

It's not that Florida isn't a player in solar energy. Overall, Florida ranks fifth in the nation for its totalgrid-connected solar capacity.But the gap between Florida and its rivals is vast.

FPL - Arcadia solar plant

The for-profit company followed its massive Arcadia plant with fields of shimmering solar panels in Martin County and Brevard County, importing more than 125,000 panels from a California company, where solar manufacturers receive financial incentives from the state.

Babcock Ranch Solar City

Solar PV power installed:

1. California 768 MW (megawatts)

2. New Jersey 128 MW

3. Florida 39 MW

The Arcadia plant single-handedly catapulted Florida from 16th to third place in grid-connected solar energy capacity installed in 2009. FPL also announced the start of Babcock Ranch, a planned community in southwest Florida's Charlotte County that would be the first solar-powered city in the world.

"There is no reason this state cannot be the national leader on solar and other renewables when they make sense," senior vice president Eric Silagy said last week.

Money goes to nuclear power plants FL

In 2008, the Legislature allowed FPL and Progress Energy to charge customers for construction of proposed nuclear power plants in Florida — even if the plants ultimately don't get built.

Democrates feature Solar

Florida's four gubernatorial candidates all call for diversified energy plans, but their goals vary widely.

Democrat Alex Sink and independent Bud Chiles want to promote solar energy through policy. Republicans Bill McCollum and Rick Scott support allowing the free market to sort it all out.

Federal energy leaders claim solar energy equipment will become more affordable than traditional electric sources by 2020. For free market proponents, that means solar energy can find its way without a government boost.

source: tampabay.com

Florida has a high retirement population

traditonal conservative..... solar ?

Credit crisis hit Florida Real Estate hard

Creating Solar manufacturing companies

generating jobs needs FL Gov grants

no other way waiting 2020 is too late