The Future of Solar Energy
Technological advancements have outpaced government regulation throughout history, and today is no different. As some members of Congress and local politicians argue whether climate change is even a reality, people and companies have taken up the task of developing eco-friendly and sustainable habits, products, and policies. Tesla is an example of one such company. Best known perhaps for its electric car, Tesla also has developed solar panels, and this week unveiled a new line of that promise to be more attractive to potential buyers (literally in terms of appearance, but also in terms of durability and ability to store power). Many people are interested in solar power. It can power a home, it is sustainable, it saves money. Places like Florida have an abundance of potential for solar power. Even in locations that are not famously sunny though, it can provide sufficient energy to power services such as CitiBike stations in New York City.
In Florida however, a constitutional amendment regarding solar energy is currently on the ballot and generating much debate. At issue is whether the amendment protects residents who install solar panels or whether it opens the door for utility companies, ostensibly on behalf of their non-solar using customers, to exert more influence on policy.
Currently, in Florida and elsewhere, there is a policy of “net metering,” whereby people who generate more electricity than they need from their solar panels can sell the excess to utility companies. This not only brings a financial benefit to solar users, but also has benefits for the electric grid (and the environment) overall.
Though utility companies, who strongly support the amendment, argue that they have no intention to end net metering, the wording of the bill does arguably provide them with strong backing for such a policy push should they choose to pursue it. Doing so could be potentially devastating for the solar industry in the state, as evidenced by Nevada. When net metering payments were simply greatly reduced, not even wholly banned, the main providers of solar panels left the state altogether. The result was a 92% reduction of solar panel installations in just four months.
Rather than implement policies which hinder innovation and diversification of energy sources, governments should work to make these things easier. Solar energy has undisputed benefits; even the utility companies in Florida are not arguing against them as a technology. If there is truly a concern about unequal access to solar energy due to prohibitive costs, or concern about solar use being subsidized by the bills of traditional electricity consumers,than these companies themselves ought to move toward integrating solar energy into the electric grid, and the government can create incentives to push them to do so, or provide some form of subsidy to lower income people who may wish to switch to solar energy.
