Florida Senate - 2015 SB 868
By Senator Soto
14-00248B-15 2015868__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to solar energy; reviving, readopting,
3 and amending s. 377.806, F.S., relating to the Solar
4 Energy System Incentives Program; authorizing rebates
5 for a portion of the purchase price of solar energy
6 systems during a specified period; requiring
7 applications for rebates to include proofs of
8 purchase; requiring the Department of Agriculture and
9 Consumer Services to give priority to residents who
10 have installed a solar energy system upon their
11 homestead valued below a certain threshold amount;
12 providing an effective date.
13
14 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
15
16 Section 1. Notwithstanding the repeal of section 377.806,
17 Florida Statutes, in section 9 of 2014-154, Laws of Florida,
18 section 377.806, Florida Statutes, is revived, readopted, and
19 amended to read:
20 377.806 Solar Energy System Incentives Program.—
21 (1) PURPOSE.—The Solar Energy System Incentives Program is
22 established within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
23 Services to provide financial incentives for the purchase and
24 installation of solar energy systems. Any resident of the state
25 who purchases and installs a new solar energy system of 2
26 kilowatts or larger for a solar photovoltaic system, a solar
27 energy system that provides at least 50 percent of a building’s
28 hot water consumption for a solar thermal system, or a solar
29 thermal pool heater, between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2020
30 from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010, is eligible for a
31 rebate on a portion of the purchase price of that solar energy
32 system.
33 (2) SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM INCENTIVE.—
34 (a) Eligibility requirements.—A solar photovoltaic system
35 qualifies for a rebate if:
36 1. The system is installed by a state-licensed master
37 electrician, electrical contractor, or solar contractor.
38 2. The system complies with state interconnection standards
39 as provided by the Florida Public Service Commission.
40 3. The system complies with all applicable building codes
41 as required defined by the Florida Building Code.
42 (b) Rebate amounts.—The rebate amount is $4 per watt based
43 on the total wattage rating of the system. The maximum allowable
44 rebate per solar photovoltaic system installation is shall be as
45 follows:
46 1. Ten Twenty thousand dollars for a residence.
47 2. One hundred thousand dollars for a place of business, a
48 publicly owned or operated facility, or a facility owned or
49 operated by a private, not-for-profit organization, including
50 condominiums or apartment buildings.
51 (3) SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM INCENTIVE.—
52 (a) Eligibility requirements.—A solar thermal system
53 qualifies for a rebate if:
54 1. The system is installed by a state-licensed solar or
55 plumbing contractor or a roofing contractor installing standing
56 seam hybrid thermal roofs.
57 2. The system complies with all applicable building codes
58 as required defined by the Florida Building Code.
59 (b) Rebate amounts.—The authorized rebate rebates for the
60 installation of solar thermal systems is shall be as follows:
61 1. Five hundred dollars for a residence.
62 2. Fifteen dollars per 1,000 Btu up to a maximum of $5,000
63 for a place of business, a publicly owned or operated facility,
64 or a facility owned or operated by a private, not-for-profit
65 organization, including condominiums or apartment buildings.
66 (4) SOLAR THERMAL POOL HEATER INCENTIVE.—
67 (a) Eligibility requirements.—A solar thermal pool heater
68 qualifies for a rebate if the system is installed by a state
69 licensed solar or plumbing contractor and the system complies
70 with all applicable building codes as required defined by the
71 Florida Building Code.
72 (b) Rebate amount.—Authorized rebates for installation of
73 solar thermal pool heaters are shall be $100 per installation.
74 (5) APPLICATION.—Application for a rebate must be filed
75 made within 120 days after the purchase of the solar energy
76 equipment and must include proof of purchase.
77 (6) REBATE AVAILABILITY.—The department shall determine and
78 publish on a regular basis the amount of rebate funds remaining
79 in each fiscal year. The total dollar amount of all rebates
80 issued is subject to the total amount of appropriations in any
81 fiscal year for this program.
82 (a) Priority for certain residents.—Subject to legislative
83 appropriation, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
84 Services shall reserve the first $50 million of rebate funding
85 for residents eligible for a rebate and who have installed a
86 solar energy system upon their homestead valued at $400,000 or
87 less.
88 (b) Rebate rollover.—If funds are insufficient during the
89 current fiscal year, any requests for rebates received during
90 that fiscal year may be processed during the following fiscal
91 year. Requests for rebates received in a fiscal year that are
92 processed during the following fiscal year shall be given
93 priority over requests for rebates received during the following
94 fiscal year.
95 (7) RULES.—The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss.
96 120.536(1) and 120.54 to develop rebate applications and
97 administer the issuance of rebates.
98 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.