Solar PV developers may soon get the message that the Sunshine State is closed for business.
In an important proceeding at the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee, approval of large-scale solar projects is in doubt. The key issue before the Commission is whether to approve a project with clear environmental benefits, yet its price tag exceeds "avoided cost", and thus Commission staff has recommend against approval.
At last week's hearing of Docket 090109 (petition for approval of solar energy power purchase agreement between Tampa Electric Company and Energy 5.0, LLC.) there were no members of the renewable, green, or environmental community speaking in favor and the one public comment was totally irrelevant.
Concerned readers should send a message to the Florida Commission that they should be encouraging such projects. I am concerned that if this project is not approved, developers will just skip over the Sunshine State and renewable development will be set back several years, while the renewable industry grows in other more receptive jurisdictions. (Yes, I know about the FPL solar projects visited by our President, but that is a much longer story — reserved for a future post.)
Full disclose: I have no interest in this other than I am a TECO ratepayer and an advocate of clean/green technology.
This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2009.