In a groundbreaking development, Florida has emerged as the frontrunner in solar energy installations in the first half of 2023, surpassing all other U.S. states. The Sunshine State’s robust solar push, as revealed in the latest Solar Market Insight report by Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association, demonstrates its newfound potential in solar energy generation.
Florida achieves an impressive milestone by adding 2,499 megawatts of solar-generation capacity in the initial half of the year, surpassing both California (1,648 MW) and Texas (1,292 MW) in capacity growth. This substantial surge marks a pivotal moment, with Florida surpassing its annual solar capacity installation within the first six months, a feat highlighted in a recent news release by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
This positive momentum contributes to a projected record of 32 gigawatts of new solar capacity for the United States in 2023, representing a remarkable 52% increase over 2022. Wood Mackenzie anticipates a significant growth in the total operating solar capacity in the U.S., projecting it to rise from the current 153 GW to 375 GW by 2028.
Despite a challenging landscape in 2022 due to COVID-19-related supply chain issues and restrictive trade policies, the current surge is attributed to easing these challenges. Additionally, incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act have played a vital role in boosting solar adoption.
The report underlines the expected improvement in supply conditions through new domestic manufacturing investments, projecting a tenfold increase in U.S. solar module manufacturing output by 2026.
Florida’s solar momentum is predominantly driven by utility-scale growth, with 2,159 MW installed by utilities, led by Florida Power & Light (FPL) contributing 1,769 MW and Duke Energy adding 389 MW. Remarkably, residential solar capacity is also on the rise, with property owners installing 332 MW in the first half of 2023, making Florida the second-highest contributor in the U.S.
FPL’s aggressive expansion of utility-scale solar energy capacity has propelled it to the forefront, leading in net metering customers and underscoring its commitment to renewable energy. Despite a legislative attempt to decrease the “buy-back” rate for excess solar power, FPL’s efforts align with Florida’s broader goal of sustainability, evidenced by Governor Ron DeSantis’s veto of the proposed legislation.
Reflecting on the data, FPL spokeswoman Florencia Olivera emphasized the utility’s commitment to delivering low-cost, reliable energy and highlighted the significant savings for customers amid global fuel price fluctuations.
Nationally, the upward trend in solar adoption is evident, with net metering customers increasing by 42.5%, reaching 3.96 million, and the megawatt-hours sold back to the grid rising by 27.9% between June 2021 and June 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Source: CAMPA BAY TIMES