Earlier this month, Florida legislators unanimously approved HJR 193, a proposed amendment that would provide business owners with tax breaks if and when they install solar panels on their properties. From there, the proposed amendment will move to the August 30 primary instead of the general election.
In addition to HJR 193, the House and Senate also passed HB 195, a companion measure that provides a timeline and deadline to establish the rules and implement the tax credits should voters approve HJR 193.
Via this companion amendment, lawmakers would have to enact tax credits that would help exempt the value of renewable energy devices like solar panels from property taxes. They would also be required to exempt the solar energy products from personal property taxes by 2018.
Once in place, the incentives would be set to last for 20 years.
According to the Miami Herald, the amendment, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Fort Myers and has the support of several organizations, including the Christian Coalition, Conservatives for Energy Freedom, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
“The proposal opens the door for significant expansion of solar and renewable energy production in Florida,” Brandes said in a statement.
“Tourism — the biggest industry in Florida — will benefit from the energy savings that reducing taxes will offer,” said Richard E. Turner, General Counsel and Vice President of Government Relations for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The power of the sun is one of the state’s greatest resources. It’s time we harness it to power our homes and businesses.”
Solar energy offers a number of benefits for both business owners and the planet at large. To date, solar energy users save a whopping 35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Once installed, solar panels require little maintenance and provide solar energy for decades at a time.
