Florida Doubles Down on Property Tax Break for Solar

The Florida Legislature has delivered a bill to Gov. Rick Scott's desk that would end property taxes on solar panels in the state of Florida for all commercial and industrial uses.

1 minute read

May 9, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Solar Power

Marco Prati / Shutterstock

"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. 

Thursday, May 4, 2017 in Palm Beach Post

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Vacant storefront in historic building on Powell Street in San Francisco, California

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax

Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

6 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

June 4 - Greater Greater Washington

Graphic for '1000 Joys of Planning' with The Planning Commission Podcast

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning

The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.

June 4 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.