Cloudy Prospects For Rooftop Solar Growth In Florida

"Just being a very sunny state is not always enough for people to take full advantage of solar," said Chad Singleton, an analyst with energy industry consultant Wood Mackenzie. Plunging prices for equipment and advancing technology are making solar more attractive to consumers. The average cost of a home solar system has dropped about 70 percent since 1988, and they are now cost competitive with grid-supplied power in 42 U.S. cities including Dallas and Miami, according to a recent government-funded study by North Carolina State University. Many utilities, meanwhile, have been cautious about encouraging residential solar because they lose revenue when customers start producing their own power. Utility power rates are expected to rise as much as 83 percent over the next 25 years, according to U.S. government data. Leasing Limits Under Florida law, only utilities can sell po...

Origin: energy-technologies.blogspot.com