Why is Solar Energy Inhibited in Florida?

Why is Solar Energy Inhibited in Florida?

One would think that Florida, the “Sunshine State, would rank higher than 13th in solar energy generation and that solar would provide more than just 2% of the energy mix for the state. This is because Florida is one of only four states that requires that solar energy be sold exclusively by the utilities companies. Direct sales by private companies that install solar panels is banned in this state. The state also further taxes commercial property owners who install solar arrays. 

Other states allow businesses and property owners to install solar panels and sell excess energy back to the utility grids. Since the average price of photovoltaic cells has plummeted 60 percent since 2010, due to lower production costs and more­efficient design, solar energy is now a very viable option for clean energy production.

Other states also allow solar power purchase agreements. These are financial agreements where a developer arranges for the design, permitting, financing and installation of a solar energy system on a customer’s property at little to no cost. The developer sells the power generated to the host customer at a fixed rate that is typically lower than the local utility’s retail rate. This lower electricity price serves to offset the customer’s purchase of electricity from the grid while the developer receives the income from these sales of electricity as well as any tax credits and other incentives generated from the system.

The utility companies oppose the free­market use of solar energy since it will reduce demand and their financial bottom line. They argue that since there would be less demand on the grid, the cost of energy for those without solar energy would increase. However, since solar energy reduces demand on the grid, it would not be necessary to construct new power stations, which are a major expense, and environmental concerns with energy production would be greatly alleviated.

The solar energy dilemma in Florida may soon be changing since a broad coalition of both conservatives and liberals have come together for expansion of solar energy in the state through a constitutional amendment. The ballot initiative allows for more competition in the electricity market and does not involve subsides or mandates. The success of the petition drive has triggered a review of the ballot language by the Florida Supreme Court. If the initiative takes hold and opens up the free­ market, solar energy will take­ off in the Sunshine State.

Raymond Young, Ph.D.
Sarasota Sister Cities Association

Honore Park - Proposed - Ward Lake, Braden River

Ward Lake is a very nice and attractive lake. It is owned by the City of Bradenton and provides water supply and recreation. Ward Lake is also known as Ever's Reservoir and is on the Braden River.

The County of Manatee has provided a very nice recreational facility called Jigg's Landing located at the northeast corner of the lake. Canoes and boats can be launched from Jigg's Landing.

Honore borders the southern border of the Lake. But the area is fenced and the lake cannot be seen or used by local residents. To see or use the lake requires an over 5 mile drive.

We propose that Manatee County develop a small park on the southwestern boundary of the Lake on Honore. The County already owns property in this location and with a small effort the County could create a nice small park that would provide an attractive area for the people near Honore. We propose the nameHonore Park.

Jiggs Landing can be seen in the north east corner of the Lake.  The proposed new park would be at the south east corner of the Lake with access from Honore

The map below shows how residents who live near Honore must now travel to get to Ward Lake.  The new park would lower the distance by over 5 miles. Bikers and walkers could easily get to the lake.

The map below shows the location of the proposed Honore Park. People living west of I75, north of Univeristy, east of Prospect and south of State Road 70 would benefit from the park and covenient access to the Lake.

The outlined parcel below is owned by Manatee County. It fronts on Honore and has a small detention pond on the west end. If is also very close to Ward Lake. Land on all sides of the parcel is owned by the City of Bradenton.  The County could easily create a small park in this location with nice overlooks and access to Ward Lake.

Bradenton has just announced that they intend to sell the 200 acres just west of the Lake and bordering Honore.  They have received a number of offers for the land.  Now would be an excellent time for the County to buy some or all of this land. So the County could do a minimalist park, or acquire some of the property, or all of the property.

We are forming a Committee to explore this acquisition.  We ask that the County Board explore the possibility of an acquisition of some or all of the site.


Jigg's Landing is a very nice Manatee County Park. A list of Amenities at Jigg's Landing is listed below:

• Picnic areas and pavilions
• Boardwalks
• Concession stand
• Wildlife viewing areas
• Dock
• Nature-themed Playground

Kayak/Canoeing: A new handicap accessible canoe/kayak launch is located at the site. The launch gives paddlers access to the entire Braden River and its freshwater system.

Picnicking: Available at the various sites throughout the preserve on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Pavilion: The picnic pavilion is available by reservation on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can reserve a pavilion online or by calling 941-742-5923.

Wildlife Viewing: Visitors can view a variety of birds and wildlife throughout the preserve in the restored native ecosystems.

Coming Soon:

The following amenities will be added to Jiggs Landing as it develops:

• Interpretive signage
• Kayak concessions
• Bicycle concessions
• Food, bait, and drink concessions

http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/natural-resources/preserves/jiggs-landing



Conclusion

Manatee could create a nice small park on Honore with access and views of Ward Lake. 


Contact Craig Hullinger at craighullinger@gmail.com if you have comments or concerns or if you would like to help make this park a reality.   craighullinger.com



Click for a One Page Executive Summary

Conference Update

All in all, the conference was attended by more than 360 interested adults and students who represented six Sarasota County schools and several universities.  A total of 21 speakers gave presentations at the conference.  You can enhance your knowledge on one of the most critical issues of our time and future by viewing their slide presentations on our conference web site.

  

sustainablesarasota.us

 

Tom Halbert, Past President

Sarasota Sister Cities

Sarasota County Sustainability Workshop

Greetings, The Keynote Speakers have been announced and a tentative Agenda is now available for the 8th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop, to be held on Dec. 18, 2013.  Please register now to attend this exciting workshop. Businesses and organizations are also invited to consider partnering in presenting this important workshop asExhbitors and Sponsors.  The 2013 Sustainable Communities Workshop theme is "Investing in Our Future." Please support this goal and have your commitment to community sustainability recognized.  Register Now!  Join attendees from across the region at the 8th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop on from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2013 at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Event and Conference Center. The $30 registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and afternoon "Local Food Showcase." The student rate is $20. Register Now.   Workshop Sponsors  Sponsors are in an ideal position to offer information and services to residents, businesses, organizations, and government agency workshop attendees.  Sponsors will be recognized, based on their level of support, on the workshop's promotional material, website and at the event. Further information on sponsorship opportunities and the application form are available on the Workshop Website.   Workshop Exhibitors  The 2013 Sustainable Communities Workshop invites businesses to offer their products, services, and programs as exhibitors at this year's workshop. Showcase your sustainable solutions for water, energy, and infrastructure demands, renewable and alternative energy, resource conservation, electric vehicles, recycling, reuse, clean tech, green business, ecotourism, local food, health improvements and housing choices.  Exhibitors may sell resource conserving, local products, as this event will be promoted as an opportunity for holiday shopping.    Exhibitor space is available for a fee of $75 upon approval, and includes two complimentary registrations. Information and the application are on the Workshop Website. Keynote Speakers Carol Peppe Hewitt "Financing our Foodshed: Rethinking How We Pay for our Food"   Carol Peppe Hewitt is an author, business owner, social entrepreneur, and a pioneer in the Slow Money movement. Since founding Slow Money NC in 2010, she has catalyzed more than 90 low-interest loans to nearly 50 small farmers and local food businesses in North Carolina, with a goal of building resilience in local foodsheds. Her book, "Financing Our Foodshed: Growing Local Food With Slow Money,"tells the compelling, real life stories of 22 Slow Money entrepreneurs who grow, process, distribute, and sell local food, as well as the generous people in their communities who became their lenders. Trish Riley "Greening Your Business: Working Together Toward a Sustainable Future"   Trish Riley is an award-winning journalist and author. Her books include: The Complete Idiot's Guides to Green Living and Greening Your Business; and The Explorer's Guide to South Florida, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Keys. Her articles have appeared in Hemispheres, The Miami Herald, South Florida Business Journal, Natural Health, Natural Home and E/The Environmental Magazine. Riley publishes www.GoGreenNation.org, an environmental news site and resource to help build sustainable communities. She founded the Gainesville Chapter of Green Drinks and Cinema Verde, Gainesville's environmental film and arts festival.   Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information.  Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), or who wish to file a complaint, should contact: Sarasota County ADA/ Civil Rights Coordinator, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34236, Phone: 941-861-5000, TTY: 7-1-1 or1-800-955-8771, Email: adacoordinator@scgov.net    Please note: The listing of a sponsoring company's name will not constitute an endorsement by Sarasota County or other organizing partners.  November 21, 2013   Sustainable Communities Workshop     Register now for the 8th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop.  December 18, 2013.    Quick Links Sarasota County Sustainability -- What You Can Do -- What Business Can Do -- What Sarasota County Does Green Business Partnership -- GBP on  Facebook Sarasota County Office of Business and Economic Development --Join the Business E-Newsletter

Thanks from Antonio Zonta

Dear Sarasota Sister City Association, dear USF, dear Friends and Colleagues

First of all I want to thank the Sister City Association and the USF for the warm hospitality that I was offered in Sarasota, and for the faultless organization and the high scientific level of the conference.

But I also remember the wonderful experience that has allowed me to meet new colleagues and make new friends: I really hope that we can keep in touch and find new opportunities to meet.

Thanks so much to all of you and take care!
Grazie a tutti e un grande saluto!

Antonio Zonta

Director of the Building and Estate Department 

Province of Treviso

Haifa Professor at Sustainability Conference

Professor Ori Lahav with Sarasota Sister Cities Tel Monde Director Linda Rosenbluth 
at Museum of Whimsey amongst the “hands of friendship” sculptors

The Sarasota Sister Cities Association recently organized and hosted an International Conference on “Sustainability through Renewable Energy & Aquaculture” at the University of South Florida-Sarasota/Manatee, Nov 13-15, 2013.  Representatives from six of our eight sister cities and from all four area Colleges and Universities gave presentations at the conference. Over 300 people were in attendance. 

The theme for Day 1 of the conference was Sustainability Concepts and Practices and in this session Professor Ori Lahav, the Sister City delegate for Tel Mond, Israel, provided an enlightening presentation on “Improving the Quality of Desalinated Seawater”.  Dr. Lahav is an Associate Professor of Environmental, Water and Agricultural Engineering at Technion-the Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.  His research interests focus on water quality and aquacultural engineering. He has received several significant awards for research innovation and academic excellence in this field. Dr. Lahav arrived from Durham, NC where he is currently on sabbatical leave at Duke University.  

Professor Lahav was thrilled to be a part of the program and is planning to develop cooperative work with Dr. Kevan Main, the Director of the Mote Marine Laboratory, Aquaculture Facility in Sarasota. Dr. Main’s presentation at the conference was on “Opportunities to Conserve Our Fisheries and Ocean Resources Using Sustainable Aquaculture”.  Forty percent of the seafood consumed worldwide is from aquaculture. Water quality is a very important factor for production of healthy seafood from aquaculture and cooperation between these two institutions will provide new insights for future developments in aquaculture.