Florida is above the average of states in terms of solar insolation. Under these circumstances that define a large stock of natural resources inputs for solar energy production, it is profitable to go solar in Florida.
Households and small businesses might find it cheaper to transition to clean energy, as solar energy bills are charged as a function of solar energy production capacity.
There are several financing sources for customers who want to use solar energy. Installation costs for solar energy systems are also lower in Florida, as fewer solar panels are needed to meet the same level of demand.
Furthermore, the state government is actively fostering the transition to solar energy through several policies, including credits for production and financial support for installing solar energy.
Florida is characterized by having solar energy as the most abundant energy source. Notwithstanding, Florida must import other types of energy from other states to meet energy demands.
Solar energy production increases as more houses, businesses, and agricultural farms become solar.
To increase production capabilities, demand for clean energy must increase so that fabricants of solar panels and commercial companies responsible for developing and installing solar systems increase their supply scale.
This article will provide you with the benefits of becoming solar in Florida.
Methods for Installing Solar Energy Systems
Installing solar energy systems is not trivial for solar energy customers. There are at least four ways a household or a business can install solar energy.
Purchased by cash
This method is comparable to buying a house with cash. The customer is the complete owner of the entire solar energy system.
The consequent savings in electricity bills are high, as customers have complete control over solar energy production. The drawback is that the customer assumes other costs, such as the system’s design and maintenance.
Solar loans
This method requires customers to apply for a loan. As in the case of mortgage loans, customers need to be approved for this type of loan.
The average cost for a residential system is from 15000$ to 25000$. The credit evaluation process limits access to solar power, as only approved customers are eligible for a solar loan.
Solar power purchase agreement
A third-party company is responsible for designing, building, and installing a commercial solar energy system in a household or business.
The main advantage of this method is that the upfront costs of buying solar panels are avoided, and customers pay just for the solar energy they consume.
The bills are always lower than traditional electricity bills. In months of high insolation, bills could increase, and the excess energy cannot be sold back to the grid.
Solar leases
This is another third-party method to get solar energy for general usage. In contrast with solar power purchase agreements, the customers pay a flat fee for solar energy.
This fee is always lower than the traditional electricity bill. A solar lease is the cheapest contract for residential use.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
From a cost-benefit perspective, installing solar energy systems is more profitable in Florida than in other states. There are several financing sources, but they have different cost-benefit implications.
Installing a solar energy system with cash or through a solar loan is the option with a more significant benefit. However, this benefit will be perceived by customers in the long term.
For that reason, third-party contracts could be more profitable in the short term for customers that do not want to make a significant investment.
Benefits of Becoming Eco-Friendly
Florida’s government is actively promoting the transition to clean energy. These subsidies have the objective of fostering a societal transition to clean energy.
However, this is a long-run goal, as not all the electricity demand can be covered by solar energy production.
Using eco-friendly energy would have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
The United States is the main greenhouse gas generator in the world. For this reason, a systematic transition to clean energy is essential.
Global warming entails a greater frequency of natural disasters. The United States impacts global warming, and US farmers suffer the consequences.
Furthermore, natural hazards are increasing because of US industrial activity and impacting other countries worldwide.
According to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015), the most affected countries are those with greater vulnerability.
Less developed countries are suffering the impacts of global warming more than the United States.
Conclusion
Going solar is a must in every place in the world. Florida is not an exception to this, where there are multiple incentives to become solar.
There are financial sources and third-party contracts to install and use solar energy. Customers can get solar loans and purchase power agreements and solar leases.
The government is promoting the transition from traditional electricity, which is generated using biofuels that produces an absurd amount of greenhouse gas that affects the entire world.
As a recommendation for potential customers, solar energy is the best cost-benefit option to transition to clean energy in Florida. Customers must consider their electricity bills.
The higher the bill, the more likely they will benefit from switching.
Customers must evaluate their sunlight exposure. More sun means more energy produced and more potential to save with solar energy.
Customers must take advantage of government incentives.
Those incentives will no longer exist because using clean energies will govern the future. The earlier the decision to transition is made, the more savings will be expected.
