Florida Doubles Down on Property Tax Break for Solar

"A bill to implement the constitutional amendment designed to expand the use of solar- and other renewable-energy devices is ready to go to Gov. Rick Scott," reports the News Service of Florida in an article published by the Palm Beach Post.

The legislation implements an amendment approved by 72.6 percent of voters last August, to extend a renewable energy tax break to commercial and industrial properties. The state already has a similar tax break for residential properties.

According to a follow up post for Construction Dive by Robert Walton, the legislation eliminates property taxes on the solar panels. The solar industry has strong support from the public in the Sunshine State, writes Walton.

Solar growth is increasingly seen by Florida residents as a way to expand clean energy jobs in the state. According to data from The Solar Foundation [pdf], Florida saw solar employment gain 1,700 positions last year, growth of about 25%. The state's solar industry now employs more than 8,200 people.

Walton also notes that the vote that enabled the property tax break was much less controversial than Amendment 1, another solar measure that appeared on the statewide ballot that failed to pass. Planetizen Correspondent Irvin Dawid provided a post-mortem on Amendment 1 after the election.