Solar Power Expands Across Florida as Nearly 30,000 Installations Occur in 2022
In Florida, nearly 30,000 residents have embraced renewable energy by installing solar power systems in the year 2022 alone. This marks a significant increase, bringing the total number of solar installations in the state to over 253,000 residential and commercial setups. The enthusiasm for solar energy comes amid the recent U.S. Solar Market Insight Q4 2024 report, which highlights Florida’s impressive growth in solar energy capacity.
Impressive Growth in Solar Capacity
Throughout the first three quarters of 2022, Florida has successfully installed approximately 3.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity. This achievement positions the state as the second-largest solar energy producer in the nation, just behind Texas. For perspective, one gigawatt equals one billion watts, showcasing the substantial power generated by solar facilities across the Sunshine State.
Reducing Costs Driving Adoption
A key driver behind Florida’s surge in solar energy systems is the significant decrease in the cost of solar power, which has fallen by 43% over the past decade. According to Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), this decline has made solar technology increasingly attractive compared to other energy sources. He explains, “The technology price points are actually in the money compared to other generation technology, so it’s actually more cost effective to build a solar plus storage for a large utility than it is to build any other generation unit.”
Utilities Embrace Solar Energy
Criticism once flung at Florida’s investor-owned utilities for minimal investment in solar has turned to praise. SACE commended the efforts of NextEra Energy’s Florida Power & Light, which serves over 12 million residents. The utility has committed to a decarbonization plan named “Real Zero,” aiming for a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025, culminating in a goal of 100% reduction by 2045.
The Future of Solar in Florida
The plan includes expanding solar generation to 90,000 megawatts and boosting battery storage by 50,000 megawatts, alongside maintaining nuclear power facilities and transitioning 16,000 megawatts of natural gas units to operate on green hydrogen. Dawn Shirreffs, Florida director for the Environmental Defense Fund, notes a paradigm shift in energy production, with solar electricity costing around $60 per megawatt-hour (MWh), surpassing the price for new natural gas energy at $70 MWh.
Community Impact and Environmental Benefits
As of the latest data, solar power now constitutes 8% of Florida’s electrical generation portfolio, a number projected to rise to 28% by 2032. This increase is expected primarily from additional solar installations, which help mitigate the reliance on natural gas, responsible for fulfilling 75% of the state’s energy needs.
Susan Glickman, vice president for policy at the CLEO Institute, remarks, “Solar power reduces climate pollution, helping to tackle the issues surrounding climate change and extreme weather.” With around 250,000 Floridians installing solar systems, households are also gaining the benefits of stability in their energy bills while protecting Florida’s environment.
Looking Ahead
Predictions suggest that Florida could become the top-ranked state for residential solar energy by 2028, potentially surpassing California, where solar accounts for 31% of the energy portfolio. However, advocating for increased installations remains essential for achieving this milestone.
The growth of solar energy in Florida paints a brighter picture for renewable energy and indicates a significant shift toward more sustainable energy sources in the coming years.
