Solar Guppy:

I see that you live in Florida. I had a couple question about setting up a system in Florida.

First, I was wondering if you knew of or took advantage of any rebates or incentives when purchasing your system? If you know of any, do you know of the hoops you have to jump through to apply? Did you need to talk with your power company (mine is FPL) to set your system up? Do they add any cost to your system, such as DC disconnects, another meter, inspection or insurance on the system?

Second, I live in South Florida so I know all about partly cloudy conditions year round. I wondered if this is the reason why Florida doesn't seem to be taking an active role promoting solar power (or are we just too busy buying voting machines). I see other Northern states (New York comes to mind) that I would think don't have as much sun year round doing more with government and private sector development. I've been to the Florida Solar Energy Center website and it seems very big in the solar community but I don't think anyone outside of that community has ever heard of it, even in Florida. It seems to me solar power and efficiency (particularly A/C units and insulation) should be more heavily promoted and invested in. Do you have an opinion on what Florida is (or isn't) doing that you like or dislike. I know we are a long way of from investing like California does but just a few solar systems on schools or government buildings to raise awareness even if they aren't cost effective seems like a good investment.

Great web site and a beautiful solar system.

Matt R

Hi Matt,

There is no rebate program in Florida currently and Yes I did TRY and get funds from the now expired program.

I did the paper work , got initial approved and the got kicked out of the program because I had done the installation myself. I even hired a PV installer to sign off on the system but because I had done all the work myself they said I wasn’t meeting there guidelines.

When I told them I would dis***emble and have the PV installer re-***emble , they said OK , but since They kicked me out , I lost my place in the line for funds and no more funds were available.

FSEC has some really good people , but the programs they admistered were basically geared for the electric company’s installing systems and getting the rebates , not homeowner Joe. The only systems That I am aware of the actual got funds were the Electric Company’s themselves , since a requirement to get the rebate/buy down need utility approval and the only ones getting the approval were the company’s to themselves !!

I am VERY fortunate that my municipality electric company , Lakeland Electric is very pro-solar. They are allowing me to run with their full acknowledgement but without a formal agreement. With most installations , you HAVE to have the electric company’s approval and signoff.

Here in Florida , net-metering with a single meter is NOT the law , all they have to do is allow you to sell to them at the wholesale rate. Also Big Oil Bush’s (IE Jeb and Brother George) have zero interest in alternatives to there cash cows.

Also here in Florida , without income tax , the cities and towns are desperate for revenues and taxing electricity is their single biggest income stream. So you can see the government WANTS you to have a big electric bill … they aren’t going to turn around and help solar in anyway

I am very happy with my system , it cost the price of an SUV and I have just a minimum connection charge with Lakeland Electric. Everyday I see people purchase SUV’s , big screens , ATV’s ect and my outlook was I’d do without toys for a year to build the solar-system

Solar usage in general is much , much smaller than I even imagined and I don’t see it becoming main stream anytime soon. Heck , today , solar hot water is almost free and you don’t see anyone running out and putting systems on there house , PV being 10x the cost , well you get the picture

I believe in Solar , I run my house 100% on solar and I am happy with the choices I have made. Someday the Dino economies will abruptly come to a halt … and I believe it will be within my lifetime. For now , Solar will be for people who see the benefits aren’t always measured in dollars and cents

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I installed a couple of systems that did receive FL rebate funds and they were individuals. Lots of paperwork and red tape but it was possible. One in Homestead and the other in Key Largo.

It could and it should be simpler to participate in a rebate program. CA is simpler but FL has very little funding so there was no incentive or need to make it easier.

One system is a dual KC120/SB2500 based and the other is KC120/SW5548 based.

I live in Fla too (near Melbourne) and am planning on building a new house this winter. I'd like to at least put in a solar water heater. Does anyone know of any resources in the east central region? Also I read that the heat negatively affects solar output. Is that true and why?

Solar Thermal works VERY well in florida ... with a DYI (do it yourself) kit for 1600.00 you can have a nice system that will do about 95% of th hot water needs and has a payback in 3-4 years

Heat do reduce the voltage and hence the power output from solar electric panels , but this is offset by longer hours of sun than northern climates.

Thanks Solar Guppy,
I want to put the panels on a 2nd story tin roof. Will that be too hot? Do they require a lot of maintainance? Does it matter how far the panels are from the water heater? I've heard I need an 80 gallon water heater for solar (there are 4 of us in the family) is that true? Do you know of a site where I can get info on the kits? As you can see I'm very new to this. I really appreciate the info.

This is the system I installed in my last home

http://www.solarroofs.com/

It's a complete kit that someone handy with basic tools and some light plumming can install in one day.

I would rcommend a 120 gallon tank at a minimum ... I used an 80 gallon tank with a two collector system and the water was close to boiling in the summer months ! (not enough storage)

Also , you should really look into how homes are buit here in florida and don't try and build a northern home here !!

2 story homes are horrible to cool and tin roofs are HOT and when it rains (like every day June-Sept) it will drive you nuts from the pinging for the rain on the tin roof , think golf balls hitting a tin panel , now think of 20,000 of them hitting the roof , your about 10% of the way to understanding what it sounds like , today we got 2.5 inches of rain in one hour , typical June weather .... You'll probably have 400.00 month electric bills going two story ...

It's a very common problem ... people come from typically up north (Like I did) and want to build there dream house down here. They ingore all the experiance of the local builder insist on thinking is built better the Northern way.

Work with a good local builder , if you ever consider advice from anyone , this is one to take ... I'm from Mass , moved here in 1995 and I know inside and out how things are built up there and down here. There's allot of good reasons for why our housing is the way it is !!

Hi again Solar,
Thanks for the site link. That looks like the perfect system for me. Did you have to have it shipped from California?
Tin roofs work great in Fla. When we put one on the house I'm in now, the manufacturer said that tin reflects the heat away from your attic and can bring the temp down as much as 18 degrees, they are also more wind resitant than shingles. Our tin roof is sitting on a tarpaper, plywood base over a small attic and is not noisy at all. Tin roofs are becoming very popular in this area.
I am originaly from Canada so I probably do have a northern mentality when it comes to home building. 20 years in this heat has tempered it a bit though. I plan to install several solar attic vent fans (Lowes $120) in the 2nd story attic and we will have the air conditioning in 2 zones with separate controls. I don't like AC so the house will be designed with porches, cross ventilation and lots of ceiling fans, only the master bedroon will be upstairs (away from my 2 teenagers).