| I agree that this is a huge mess, and I appreciate you looking into it further! I think the Sun Sentinel editorial might do a better job of summarizing what's going on [1]. Net metering was put in place in 2008, but this Amendment 1 would change the wording of the constitution, opening the possibility for a challenge to the 2008 law on grounds it conflicts with the phrasing in the amendment. To the question of whether net-metering is a de-facto subsidy... Many states, including Vermont [2], Nevada [3], Mississippi [4], Minnesota [5], and Maine [6], have independently found that net-metering provides a benefit to all ratepayers. I hope this helps clarify your questions - please consider voting no on Amendment 1 and throwing your support behind Floridians for Solar Choice, who are trying to legalize solar leasing arrangements like the ones sold by Solar City/Tesla. [7] [1] http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-editorial-... [2] http://www.leg.state.vt.us/reports/2013ExternalReports/28558... [3] http://puc.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/pucnvgov/Content/About/Media... [4] http://www.synapse-energy.com/sites/default/files/Net%20Mete... [5] http://ilsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/MN-Value-of-Solar... [6] http://www.nrcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/MPUCValueofSo... [7] http://www.flsolarchoice.org/ |
I haven't read up on the Tesla roof tiles, but I can only see that being viable (at least here in Florida) if they at least break even over, say, thirty years (outer range of roof replacement) with the occasional hurricane (say, one every five years or so). And how do you clean the things? We had our roof washed several months ago, but that's because my SO thought the roof just looked unsightly [2]. But having to wash the roof (say, yearly just to keep up the efficiency) will definitely cut into the ROI of the system.
They might very well work out financially in Arizona and New Mexico though (more sun, less rain and a simple brushing off of any sand might suffice).
[1] Yes, it's a decade old, but it goes into details about power generation I don't think many people realize. Running a power grid is not easy and it's all too easy to screw up.
[2] Tile roof, which tends to hold up a bit better under hurricanes.