Solar Amendment 1

[jimbo2012]

Florida Solar Energy Subsidies and Personal Solar Use Initiative, also known as Amendment 1,

A vote "for" Amendment 1 supports adding a section in the state constitution giving residents of Florida the right to own or lease solar energy equipment for personal use while also enacting constitutional protection for any state or local law ensuring that residents who do not produce solar energy can abstain from subsidizing its production.
A vote "against" Amendment 1 opposes constitutionalizing the right to own or lease solar equipment and the protection of laws preventing subsidization of solar energy, thereby, leaving the personal use of solar power protected as a right by state statute, and not by the constitution.

YOur thoughts

[golfing eagles]

Florida Solar Energy Subsidies and Personal Solar Use Initiative, also known as Amendment 1,

A vote "for" Amendment 1 supports adding a section in the state constitution giving residents of Florida the right to own or lease solar energy equipment for personal use while also enacting constitutional protection for any state or local law ensuring that residents who do not produce solar energy can abstain from subsidizing its production.
A vote "against" Amendment 1 opposes constitutionalizing the right to own or lease solar equipment and the protection of laws preventing subsidization of solar energy, thereby, leaving the personal use of solar power protected as a right by state statute, and not by the constitution.

YOur thoughts

As usual, the devil will be in the details. I'm in favor of any option that will not force me to pay for OTHER people's solar folly. When the technology improves and solar is economically feasible, I'll reconsider, but for now the average break even time on a full solar installation is something like 26 years.

[krash]

I had solar panels on my house which I previously owned (part of the incentive I received when purchasing my new home) and my Duke electric bill was $10.42 (service line charge) every month of the year. Yup, even in the heat of the summer. And my temperature was set at 76°. [emoji2]

[Whooter]

Whether you like it or not, Solar is here & will be one of the main sources in years to com. Thia is an attempt to kill solar by the energy industry. This does not belong in the Constitution.

[jimbo2012]

Thia is an attempt to kill solar by the energy industry.

I'm the biggest proponent of solar here, I build solar golf carts.

So tell me how this kills solar please.



but for now the average break even time on a full solar installation is something like 26 years.

Not sure about the 26years but 12-15 because FL has zip for state incentives

[Whooter]

Are solar golf carts part of the grid?

[jimbo2012]

they can be, yes

[MDLNB]

There's nothing wrong with solar power, but there is something wrong with power companies profiting off of your use of solar power. This amendment is not to protect you, but to help the power company. They do not want to allow you to sell back power to them. As a matter of fact, they want to charge more because of those that use solar power.

If you wish to use solar power whenever you choose, then you want to vote NO for Amendment #1. The initial investment to Solar is already outrageously high, without others trying to profit from your cost.

I am a conservative, but I doubt if liberals wish to pay more either. No one should be punished for attempting to save money.

[Whooter]

And save the planet

[MDLNB]

And save the planet

Agree.

[graciegirl]

And save the planet

Greenies can HELP save the planet by not overspending and reusing what they have. Why are almost all greenies, Democrats? Traditional people have always been careful and use leftovers and reuse and repurpose things. I see on HGTV that greenies will toss old cabinets and take out appliances that don't meet the latest standards of energy use. I think greenies focus on the latest style of being green instead of using common sense.

It isn't that Republicans do not believe in global warning but most do not think that just one 16th of the world population is going to hold back global warming...

[n8xwb]

A YES vote on amendment 1 is a stupid vote. Just look at who is funding the commercials....Duke Energy. If you think for one second that Duke Energy has the consumers' interests at heart, you are a very gullible voter. I voted no and encourage everyone to vote no No NO.

[jimbo2012]

Ok looks like a NO is the way to go.

If I tie to grid in most states your excess power is purchased back, you power your home or Biz for free you can make money sometimes selling back

[n8xwb]

And now we have a Fire Fighters group backing the amendment because they are allegedly worried about their first responders?! Give me a break. I would think the building inspections required after installing solar panels would be enough.....certainly we do not need an amendment to the Florida constitution, backed by power companies to protect our fire fighters!!!??

[biker1]

Solar is hardly a main power source but does and will continue to play a roll regardless of the outcome of the vote on this ammendment. You are free to put up solar panels and this amendment will not infringe on your ability to do so. Keep in mind that unless you totally go off the grid with solar via a bank of batteries, you are still 100% dependent on the grid. I generally prefer when people stick with the facts instead to posting opinions.



Whether you like it or not, Solar is here & will be one of the main sources in years to com. Thia is an attempt to kill solar by the energy industry. This does not belong in the Constitution.

[jimbo2012]

you will till get the 30% tax rebate federally

[Don Baldwin]

Solar is hardly a main power source but does and will continue to play a roll regardless of the outcome of the vote on this ammendment. You are free to put up solar panels and this amendment will not infringe on your ability to do so. Keep in mind that unless you totally go off the grid with solar via a bank of batteries, you are still 100% dependent on the grid. I generally prefer when people stick with the facts instead to posting opinions.

And they'll tax your solar panels just like you bought a new car...yearly...based on the value.

Vote no

[MDLNB]

It has nothing to do with tax. It has to do with the power company NOT allowing you to sell back your excess power from Solar to them. It is about charging more to other customers because you have solar. That is the problem with these Amendments. If you don't have someone to explain them to you, then you don't know what they will mean to you.

Right now, the gov gives you a tax break for using Solar
right now, you can sell your extra power from solar back to the power company
Right now, the power company can not penalize those that do not have solar by making them pay more for their power.

[jimbo2012]

take read yesterday's paper

Why are utilities spending $22 million to ‘protect’ your right to solar? | TBO.com (http://www.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/why-are-utilities-spending-22-million-to-protect-your-right-to-solar-20161027/)

[Don Baldwin]

It has nothing to do with tax. It has to do with the power company NOT allowing you to sell back your excess power from Solar to them. It is about charging more to other customers because you have solar. That is the problem with these Amendments. If you don't have someone to explain them to you, then you don't know what they will mean to you.

Right now, the gov gives you a tax break for using Solar
right now, you can sell your extra power from solar back to the power company
Right now, the power company can not penalize those that do not have solar by making them pay more for their power.

It's ALSO about tax...taxing solar equipment as PERSONAL PROPERTY like a car or a boat instead of being added to the total real estate value of your house.

Instead of paying a few dollars extra because it raised your home value from $300,000 to $325,000...you'll now get a bill yearly like your car registration. $25 a year? $50? $100? Whatever they decide they can get. People who can afford putting in solar can afford the extra tax.

They MUST make up the revenue lost due to personal solar replacing...TAXED...utility power.

It's about money, it always is.

[jimbo2012]

making news NYT chimes in

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/science/florida-solar-power-referendum.html?_r=0

[graciegirl]

Go ahead and buy your own solar panels. I will if I want to, but I am not interested in paying for yours, and you don't have to pay for mine.

Just a hick from Ohio.

[Allegiance]

The politicans that approved the purposely deceptive wording of this bill should be drawn and quartered.

Clinton ally wants person who approved private email server ‘drawn and quartered’ | TheBlaze.com (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/10/27/clinton-ally-wants-person-who-approved-private-email-server-drawn-and-quartered/)

[biker1]

You don't know that.



And they'll tax your solar panels just like you bought a new car...yearly...based on the value.

Vote no

[Don Baldwin]

You don't know that.

That was the other amendment that passed in August, they snuck it through...

Primary Election: August 30, 2016
Amendment #4 – PASSED August 30, 2016
Solar Devices or Renewable Energy Source Devices; Exemption from Certain Taxation and Assessment.

Sponsor
The Florida Legislature

Summary
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to exempt from ad valorem taxation the assessed value of solar or renewable energy source devices subject to tangible personal property tax, and to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit consideration of such devices in assessing the value of real property for ad valorem taxation purposes. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2018, and expires on December 31, 2037.

This one took it off your "property value" and made it subject to personal property tax.

Sorry...got them confused. They already screwed us once...

[biker1]

Says Yoda, "The paranoia is strong with this one"



That was the other amendment that passed in August, they snuck it through...

Primary Election: August 30, 2016
Amendment #4 – PASSED August 30, 2016
Solar Devices or Renewable Energy Source Devices; Exemption from Certain Taxation and Assessment.

Sponsor
The Florida Legislature

Summary
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to exempt from ad valorem taxation the assessed value of solar or renewable energy source devices subject to tangible personal property tax, and to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit consideration of such devices in assessing the value of real property for ad valorem taxation purposes. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2018, and expires on December 31, 2037.

This one took it off your "property value" and made it subject to personal property tax.

Sorry...got them confused. They already screwed us once...