Blog & News
Governor DeSantis Vetoes HB 741
The HB 741 debacle appears to have been resolved, as Governor DeSantis vetoed the bill on 4/27/2022. Net metering is here to stay in the Sunshine State which is great news for all Floridians. When asked what the Governor’s reasoning was to turn down the bill, he replied:
“Given that the United States is experiencing its worst inflation in 40 years and that consumers have seen steep increases in the price of gas and groceries, as well as escalating bills, the state of Florida should not contribute to the financial crunch that our citizens are experiencing.”
Had the bill been signed by Gov. DeSantis, it would have taken effect in early 2023. Payments to solar customers would have tanked from a retail rate to a low wholesale rate thus increasing the time to show any profit from energy savings. The phase out was set to slash payment rates to solar customers by 50% in four years and would drop further still to the avoided cost rate by 2029.
HB 741, dubbed the “anti-rooftop bill” has received significant backlash since it’s inception. Will Giese of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) stated that the bill is ” a nightmare for anyone who believes in energy freedom and the rights of people to choose the energy that works for them and their families.” He went on to call the veto a “major win for energy freedom and Florida’s clean energy economy.”
“Today, Governor DeSantis helped secure the livelihoods of thousands of solar workers and protected the rights of Floridians to lower their electricity bills with solar,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president, and CEO of SEIA. “Florida is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the country with new businesses popping up all across the state. This veto signals that Florida’s energy economy is open for business, and that the rights of state residents should be placed ahead of monopoly utility interests.”
Although HB 741 is no longer a threat for Floridians, the tax credit for new solar energy installations is still scheduled to drop from 26% to 22% beginning on January 1, 2023. Reach out to one of our experts at ProSolar today and we will be happy to explain the many benefits of switching to solar here in Florida.