Former FlaSEIA president Ben Millar, now with Jinko Solar, explains how rooftop solar and battery storage help lower energy costs for every Floridian, not just system owners. By cutting peak demand on hot summer evenings, these systems can delay costly new power plants and reduce reliance on natural gas. Read his Tampa Bay Times column.

Industry leaders bring experience in engineering, operations, manufacturing, finance and consumer advocacy FlaSEIA has announced its new Board of Directors officers: Juan David Payares of PayOli Energy as president, Jacob Traverso of Solar Source as vice president, Nick Mobley of Qcells as treasurer and Kelly Miller of Stilwell Solar as secretary. Together they bring experience in engineering, operations, manufacturing, finance and consumer advocacy.

While residential solar has slowed nationwide since the federal tax credit ended, Florida's home solar market is holding strong. Bloomberg reports that a sweeping state permitting law that took effect last summer has made rooftop solar faster and cheaper to install.

Florida ranked third in the nation for solar generation in 2025, behind only California and Texas, according to Climate Central research. The state produced more than 30,000 gigawatt-hours of solar energy, though the review process for solar farms over 75 megawatts still limits growth.

Rising electric bills are pushing more Florida homeowners toward solar. Bay News 9 talks with a Seminole retiree whose annual electric costs dropped from about $4,500 to under $900 after going solar, and looks at what the end of the federal tax credit means for buyers.

Hunters Point in Cortez is a community of net-zero homes, each with its own rooftop solar and battery backup system, built to stay powered through hurricanes. FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson joins Bay News 9 to explain why storm-ready solar homes are catching on across Florida.

FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson argues that Floridians should not have to wait four to six weeks for a permit to install backup power before hurricane season. His Tampa Bay Times column makes the case for House Bill 803, which would streamline permits for generators and battery systems ahead of storms.

Even with the federal residential tax credit gone, FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson says rooftop solar is still a smart choice for Florida homeowners. Paired with battery storage, solar keeps the lights on during long hurricane outages, protects against rising utility rates and supports local jobs.

In a lighthearted holiday column for Florida Politics, FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson finds one topic every Florida family can agree on: saving money on electricity. From LED lights to rooftop solar and batteries that ride out storms, he shows how energy savings can bring everyone to the table.

Tampa Bay Solar, founded by former Navy SEAL Steve Rutherford, installed a 2-megawatt rooftop array on Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto. The roughly 3,200 panels across eight buildings are expected to cover about 90 percent of the school's power needs and save around $200,000 a year.

When Hurricane Sally knocked out power across the Gulf Coast, one Florida family's solar and battery system kept their most important appliances running. This Florida Politics story looks at how solar and storage are becoming part of hurricane preparedness for families across the state.

Florida is leading the way in solar workforce training through a first-of-its-kind apprenticeship program created by the Florida Solar Energy Center and FlaSEIA. Designed with FlaSEIA member contractors, the program gives workers a formal path into one of the state's fastest-growing industries.

GreenTech Renewables and Qcells have teamed up to bring solar panel recycling to Tampa Bay. Their Tampa and Palmetto locations now accept damaged or decommissioned panels from homes and businesses, which are shipped to a Qcells facility in Georgia to recover materials for reuse.

USF disaster management professor Elizabeth Dunn explains why solar and battery storage are essential tools for hurricane resilience. During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, homes with solar and storage kept their lights, air conditioning and internet running while others waited days or weeks for power.

Juan David Payares, founder and CEO of PayOli Energy, makes the case that rooftop solar paired with battery storage is Florida's best defense during hurricane season. Beyond savings, he writes, solar gives homeowners peace of mind, independence and power when the grid goes down.

A federal Solar for All grant that aimed to help 6,000 low-income Florida families go solar has been revoked. WFLA speaks with FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson about what losing the program and federal tax credits means for families hoping to lower their bills and stay powered through storms.

With federal tax credits for rooftop solar and EVs set to expire, solar advocates gathered in Tampa to urge Floridians to act now. FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson called the changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act a body blow to the industry.

Floridians are rushing to install rooftop solar before federal tax credits expire at the end of the year. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor joined local solar contractors, including Tampa Bay Solar founder Steve Rutherford, in Tampa to discuss how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will affect Florida's solar industry.

The Tampa Bay Times breaks down three things Floridians should know about the federal rollback of solar and EV tax credits. The biggest: the 30 percent Residential Clean Energy Credit for rooftop solar ends after December 31, so homeowners considering solar should act this year.

With the 30 percent federal solar tax credit ending December 31, Southwest Florida installers are bracing for a rush of sales followed by a slowdown. Kelly Miller of Stilwell Solar and FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson share what the change could mean for businesses, hiring and homeowners.

Mother Jones reports on how the federal budget bill and a new executive order are expected to cut U.S. solar and wind growth by at least 300 gigawatts by 2035. Energy experts warn the combination will greatly suppress the market for renewable energy.

Florida's solar industry is on edge as Congress cuts federal support for clean energy. The Tampa Bay Times reports that solar advocates warn thousands of Florida jobs could be at risk under the new federal tax bill.

FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson warns that the One Big Beautiful Bill removes solar incentives so quickly that businesses have no time to adapt. His Tampa Bay Times column explains how the sudden change puts Florida's solar workers at risk.

As the 2025 hurricane season begins, more Florida homeowners are adding solar panels with battery storage to keep their power on during outages. Stilwell Solar and other installers report a steady rise in calls from customers who lived through multiple outages in recent storms.

Chris Castro, a former U.S. Department of Energy leader, writes that clean energy is no longer the future, it is here now. In 2024, 96 percent of new energy coming online in the U.S. was carbon-free and 60 percent was solar, driven by smart policy, investment and private-sector innovation.

Florida installed 3 gigawatts of utility-scale solar in 2024, more than any other state and surpassing California for the first time. Canary Media explores how sunshine, extreme weather and permitting rules helped make Florida a solar superpower.

The Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship Program is making Florida a national leader in solar workforce development. With eight participating employers and 20 apprentices enrolled, the program trains workers in photovoltaics, solar pool heating and solar water heating, and FlaSEIA President Bill Johnson explains why it matters.

Despite opposition from 16 of 17 public commenters, the Orlando Utilities Commission approved its PeakSHIFT pricing program. The plan reduces solar incentives for new customers, though existing solar users with agreements by June 2025 keep their current rates for 20 years.

The Orlando Utilities Commission's new PeakSHIFT billing will charge higher rates for electricity used from 2 to 8 p.m. to encourage off-peak use. OUC says most customers will not see major bill changes, but FlaSEIA and residents warn that many families could pay more.

The Orlando Utilities Commission has approved its controversial PeakSHIFT plan, which brings time-of-day rates and changes how rooftop solar customers are paid. Watch the news coverage of the vote and what it means for Orlando customers.

The Orlando Utilities Commission unanimously approved time-of-day rates that charge more for power used from 2 to 8 p.m. Solar customers raised concerns about compensation for new participants dropping from 10.7 to 4.6 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Records show the Orlando Utilities Commission issued $1.2 million in refunds to 16 commercial customers who had been overcharged for electricity, some for up to 20 years. The findings raised transparency concerns as OUC sought approval of its PeakSHIFT pricing plan.

Solar industry advocates, environmental groups and Orlando city officials rallied against the Orlando Utilities Commission's PeakSHIFT pricing plan ahead of the vote. FlaSEIA's Bill Johnson warned that rates have gone up dramatically in other states with similar programs.

Solar advocates, customers and small businesses are pushing back on the Orlando Utilities Commission's PeakSHIFT proposal, which would replace net metering with a new billing system for rooftop solar owners. Opponents say the change would reduce what solar customers are paid for the power they send back to the grid.

Story by Berkeley Labs

A Berkeley Lab study finds that solar on businesses, schools, government buildings and houses of worship encourages nearby homeowners to go solar too. Seeing a nearby non-residential system is about as influential as seeing solar on a neighbor's roof.

Meet Michelle Francis, featured in FlaSEIA's Florida Women in Solar Spotlight. A former licensed massage therapist and single mom, Michelle found her way into solar through a local installer and has spent nearly nine years in the industry, moving from permitting and inspections into sales.

Story by Florida Record, Michael Carroll

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued Vision Solar and SetUp My Solar over alleged deceptive sales practices. The companies are accused of misleading consumers about installation timelines, pricing and incentives, and in some cases damaging customers' property.

Story by Yahoo! News

The number of microgrids in the U.S. has grown 11 percent in four years, with nearly 700 now protecting critical facilities like military bases and communities. Microgrids can disconnect from the main grid during outages and keep running on their own solar and storage.

Story by Opinion, Mia McCormick

Mia McCormick of Environment Florida writes that Florida has made real progress on clean energy and now has the chance to become a national leader. Her Miami Herald op-ed urges the state to build on that momentum.

Presswire

FlaSEIA supports Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's actions against deceptive solar sales practices and works to remove bad actors from the industry. Before signing a contract, homeowners can use FlaSEIA's Consumer's Guide for the questions to ask any solar contractor.

Story from Solar Power World

Solar Power World explains four ways contractors can meet the Inflation Reduction Act's apprenticeship requirements. One option is joining an existing program like the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship, which FlaSEIA co-sponsors.

Story from Yahoo! News

Florida became the top state for new solar in the first half of 2023, adding 2,499 megawatts and passing both California and Texas for the first time. Federal incentives and recovered supply chains helped drive the surge.

Story from Fox 13 News

As electric rates climb in the Tampa Bay area, more homeowners are turning to solar to save money. FOX 13 talks with a local homeowner and a Tampa solar company owner about costs, roof condition and what to know before you buy.

Story from Fox Business

Hunters Point in Cortez is an 86-home community where every home has solar panels and its own battery system. Homes stayed powered through Hurricanes Ian and Idalia while surrounding neighborhoods went dark.

Presswire

FlaSEIA hosted more than 100 business leaders in Tampa with U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and the U.S. Treasury Department to explain Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for solar. Speakers shared real-world examples from organizations like the City of Tampa and AdventHealth.

Story From Yahoo! News

When Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, the solar-powered town of Babcock Ranch kept its lights on. Its solar power, homes built to withstand strong winds and smart site planning helped the community of about 5,000 residents come through mostly unscathed.

Heaven Campbell writes that solar and batteries are the secret source of backup power for Florida's hurricane season. Her Florida Times-Union column urges investment in distributed energy to keep communities powered when the grid fails.

Jacksonville Business Journal By Stuart Korfhage – Daily Editor, Jacksonville Business Journal

Synergy Solar of Jacksonville has grown to about 25 employees in under five years. President Jonathan Lindstam talks with the Jacksonville Business Journal about starting the company and its solar project at Patriot Place, an apartment complex for formerly homeless veterans.

FlaSEIA continues working to ensure programs like SolarAPP+ provide opportunities for Floridians to more quickly achieve affordable energy independence.

Story from Solar Power World

FlaSEIA and the Florida Solar Energy Center hosted a job fair on December 8, 2022, to kick off the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship, the first federally registered solar apprenticeship in the nation. The two-year program combines 4,000 hours of on-the-job training with 296 hours of classroom training.

Newswire

The Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship, created by FlaSEIA and the Florida Solar Energy Center, is the first solar apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprentices complete 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 296 hours of classroom instruction.

Newswire

Story from Solar Power World

Solar Power World looks at how the industry is preparing to meet job demand created by the Inflation Reduction Act. In Florida, FlaSEIA and the Florida Solar Energy Center have launched a solar apprenticeship to train the next generation of installers.

Story from Solar Power World features member JinkoSolar

Everybody Solar installed a nearly 50-kilowatt solar array at Sulzbacher Village in Jacksonville, which provides housing for people experiencing homelessness. The energy savings let the nonprofit put more money toward meals, medical care and other critical services.

Story from Solar Power World

FlaSEIA and the UCF Florida Solar Energy Center have partnered to create a solar energy technician apprenticeship, one of the few solar-specific apprenticeships in the country. The program helps meet the growing demand for skilled solar installers in Florida.