'No' Votes Mean an Electoral Win for Solar Energy in Sunshine State

摘要

Despite national election returns that darken the prospects for environmental protection, there is a ray of sunshine in the defeat of a Florida ballot initiative designed to thwart residential solar projects. In a year in which the residential solar market recorded its one millionth installation according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Florida ballot measure attracted considerable attention. The measure, titled the Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice, appeared to promote residential solar by establishing a state constitutional right to own or lease equipment to generate solar electricity for personal use. The amendment, however, also provided utilities with the ability to undermine solar energy growth.