This is the Sunshine State, so doesn’t solar power make sense? Then why does it only make up a tiny fraction of Florida’s electricity output? This week on Florida Matters we’re talking about the promise and prognosis of solar energy in the state.
A new report says Florida is leading the nation in solar permits for homes. We explore why residential solar is becoming more popular and look at two new co-ops being formed in the Tampa Bay area to take advantage of the power of group buying.
We also learn more about how solar power actually works and discuss some of the hurdles solar technology faces – from policy to the physics of energy storage – that could explain why it still only makes up about 0.36 percent of the state’s electricity despite its expansion.
Our guests include:
Ralph Fehr, Ph.D: power systems expert and electrical engineering instructor at the University of South Florida.
Susan Glickman: Florida Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Rick Garrity, Ph.D: former Director of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, and current chair of the Hillsborough League of Women Voters Natural Resource Committee.
Share your questions and comments on solar power with us on Facebook, Twitter or by emailing FloridaMatters@wusf.org.
