Florida Surges to the Top: Leading the Solar Revolution in 2023

In a surprising turn of events, Florida, the Sunshine State, has claimed the title of the leading solar power installer in the United States for the first half of 2023. This achievement is remarkable given the considerable policy challenges the state faces in comparison to solar power giants like California and Texas.

Florida's Solar Power Surge

Florida made a groundbreaking leap by connecting a whopping 2,499 megawatts of solar-generation capacity to the grid during the first half of 2023. This impressive feat outshone California's 1,648 megawatts and Texas' 1,292 megawatts, as reported by the U.S. Solar Market Insight in collaboration with energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. This development marks a significant milestone for a state that has long been lagging behind in solar installations.

Despite having only 6 percent of its electricity sourced from solar energy and relying heavily on fossil gas for the rest, Florida's rise to solar prominence can be attributed to two primary factors.

• Firstly, the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy incentives played a pivotal role in encouraging solar installations.

• Secondly, the stabilization of supply chains allowed for a smoother flow of materials and equipment necessary for solar projects. These factors, along with the state's abundant sunshine, have set the stage for Florida's solar revolution.

Challenges on the Solar Horizon

Florida's ascent to solar leadership is even more remarkable considering its energy policy landscape, which lags behind other states. Notably, Florida lacks a renewable portfolio standard, a policy that has significantly boosted solar investments elsewhere. Additionally, the state does not permit power-purchase agreements, which have been instrumental in accelerating solar development across the nation.

Moreover, Florida's solar policies have historically favored utility-owned large-scale solar projects over residential and commercial rooftop installations. Approximately 86 percent of the state's solar capacity added in the first half of the year was constructed by utilities. Florida Power & Light, the state's largest power company, was responsible for 1,769 megawatts, followed by Duke Energy with 389 megawatts.

Net Metering's Silver Lining

One positive aspect of Florida's solar policy is the presence of net metering. This policy compensates rooftop solar owners for the excess power they feed into the electrical grid. While some solar-rich states have witnessed attempts to roll back net metering due to concerns over revenue losses and cost shifts, Florida has retained this crucial incentive for solar adopters.

A National Solar Surge

Florida is not the only state making significant strides in solar energy. The entire nation is experiencing a solar boom, with forecasts predicting the addition of 32 gigawatts of new capacity in 2023. This nearly triples the record-breaking 13 gigawatts installed in 2021 and accounts for over half of the new U.S. capacity in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.