E S I R E TH GREEN F O RGY E EN by
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As discussions about climate change and environmental stability have become more and more prevalent, some states are establishing laws to help create a more environmentally conscientious society. California made solar panels mandatory for new homes built after 2020, and New York City requires any roofs undergoing major construction to be covered in solar panels or a green roof system. Solar panels create clean, renewable power without the use of fossil fuels or release of greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide. 28 | Business Climate | 2020 / 2021 Annual Real Estate
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Although the state of Florida has little to no laws regarding solar panels, recent laws and damage from hurricanes have increased the price of electricity, which has made solar panels a favorable alternative to electricity. When Hurricane Michael hit, dozens of Florida cities were left without power, so the Senate passed bill 797 which allows utility companies to charge customers for any and all storm protection projects. Although this law will better prepare utility companies for storms, the House estimated the long term costs of storm-hardening could be as high as $30 billion. Florida’s utility regulator approved rate increases for Gulf Power customers to reimburse the company for its power restoration efforts. Gulf Power, which has some 460,000 customers across eight Northwest Florida counties, increased consumer’s monthly bills by $8 per thousand kilowatt hours. “On top of that, we’re seeing a national inflation rate of about three to four percent on a United States scale,” Meraki Regional Manager Robert Reid said. “Most recently, rates went up about nine percent due to hurricane Michael— $342 million rate hike over the next five years. Although Gulf Power is reliable, the cost that they have to toss onto us— no fault to Gulf Power they are a business— is too costly. At the end of the day, there are alternative ways to produce the same amount of energy but at a cheaper cost.” Pensacola is a prime area for solar panels not only because Pensacola is a city within the sunshine state but also because of Gulf Power’s increasing electricity rates. The majority of the solar companies in the area, if not all, offer zero down. Adam Najar, the owner of Suncor Solar, said that because electricity is more costly in the area, companies like his are able to make the payments for solar equipment less than the majority of their customers’ electric bills. “The big thing is that instead of renting your energy with Gulf Power and seeing your rates go up with those
