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Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SiouxPal who wrote (3620)	2/6/2006 11:16:15 PM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24210

February 05, 2006 Florida should jump-start technology for solar energy By DOROTHY HUKILL Solar energy has long been viewed by scientists and experts as a rich alternative to traditional energy sources. The value of solar energy lies in the quiet, reliable and pollution-free generation of power from a renewable resource. In spite of these merits, solar energy remains under-utilized due to barriers that include technological limitations and high upfront costs. Recent storms and hurricanes have highlighted our dependence on energy. Supply cannot keep pace with our ever-increasing demand. Energy costs continue to explode even as we attempt to conserve our resources. In an era of high gasoline prices, it is important to be innovative and seek new ways of producing affordable energy. Our dependence on energy sources outside our state forces us to look inward. We must change direction and look for energy alternatives. Solar energy can provide a solution. The obstacles may be overcome by making solar technology affordable for Floridians and by providing a "jump start" to the solar industry. In 2005 the Florida Legislature stated that "it is in the public interest to promote the development of renewable resources." We have dimmed the lights in Tallahassee to conserve energy -- but it is now time to do more. Just as our state provides tax incentives to encourage new business in Florida, we must provide incentives to encourage an industry that has so much potential. I am proposing a bill in the Florida Legislature that would establish the Florida Solar Incentive Program. It would provide financial incentives to encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic or PV systems (we commonly refer to these as solar panels) on residential and commercial buildings and facilities operated by public and private not-for-profit organizations. The incentive is greater if the solar equipment is manufactured in our state. The bill also provides funding to support certification activities associated with the development of a stable, long-term solar energy product market in Florida. The program will also provide a clear understanding of the types of public policies and infrastructure-building activities that are needed to create a sustainable solar industry in Florida. In the past, Florida was a leader in solar energy development. In fact, solar energy was our exclusive method of heating water in the early 1900s. Strong solar energy policies assisted in the growth of the solar thermal industry, which peaked in the 1980s until federal solar tax credits expired. Florida has not kept pace with the rest of the country in the development of solar photovoltaic (PV) markets and has weakened its position in the solar thermal market as well. This is largely due to the lack of financial incentives for solar thermal (generally for hot water heaters and swimming pools) and photovoltaic (PV) systems, and the conservative utility interconnection standards for photovoltaic (PV) systems. Other states such as California, Colorado and Washington and even other countries have already put mechanisms in place to encourage solar energy system installation and production. This has created a positive economic boost by encouraging solar technology and support companies to set up shop there. That means economic development with high-tech, high-paying jobs going to other states and foreign countries -- jobs that belong in our state. For Florida, solar energy means economic diversification to decrease our reliance on any one industry. It means securing our children's future to participate in the national and global marketplace. When I first visited Florida as a child, I was struck by the beauty of a Florida sunrise. Today, the sun is more than "just a pretty face." It is a clean, quiet, and innovative solution to our energy problems. It is a way to power our state while renewing our resources and keeping our environment healthy. Supporting solar energy incentives is a common sense approach to ensure Florida's future. State Rep. Hukill, R-Port Orange, holds a bachelor's degree in sociology/elementary education, a master's in speech pathology/audiology and a law degree. She practices law in Daytona Beach. news-journalonline.com