Solar Energy in the Town of Miami Lakes
The Town is currently working with a SolSmart Advisor to achieve the SolSmart Bronze Designation. SolSmart is a new national technical assistance and designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. The SolSmart program seeks to address “solar soft costs,” or business process or administrative costs that can increase the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system.
If you are considering a solar energy project (residential or commercial), please read more about the resources and services available below.
Permitting Solar Projects
1) Permitting checklist for solar
2)Link to permit application or website to submit permit
3) Do you want to get an update on your permit? Please click here.
4) Do you need to schedule an inspection? Click here
Still have questions? Call 305.364.6100.
Florida Solar Laws
Florida law forbids any entity- including homeowner associations- from prohibiting the installation of solar or other renewable energy devices on Florida buildings. An association may require the approval of system installation and may establish restrictions for installations. However, any such restrictions must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and applied in a uniform manner for all association members. Also, any restrictions must not have the effect of impairing the performance or increasing the cost of a solar system.
In particular, a homeowner association may not prevent the installation of solar collectors on the roof of a home. The association may determine where on the roof the collectors may be installed, so long as the collectors face within 45 degrees of due south. Finally, any requirement(s) that a system be screened from view by trees, fences, ground mounting racks, or a remote roof location that is hidden from the street, will generally violate the statute: Title XI 163.04
What is Net Metering?
In Florida, net metering rules were adopted in 2008. Net metering allows utility customers who connect approved, renewable generation systems – such as solar photovoltaic systems – to the electric grid to sell electricity back to the utility company up to 2MW.
When customers generate electricity from their solar array for their home or business it may reduce the amount of energy they need to purchase from the utility and may lower their monthly electricity bills. If their system produces more energy than they need, the excess power is sold back to the grid. That amount of energy is deducted from their monthly bill or credited toward a future bill in the same calendar year.
To be eligible, a home or business owner needs to apply with the utility company and have their electric meter replaced with one that measures excess power supplied to the grid.
Title XXVII 366.91
Consumer Protections
Solar PV is new to many of our city’s residents. Please click the links below, which can help you make an informed solar PV purchasing decision.
https://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/SEIA-Consumer-Guide-Solar-Power-v4-2018-June.pdf
IREC Clean Energy Bill of Rights
Financing Options
What is PACE?
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a financing mechanism that operates through local providers in order to enable low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects (and in the State of Florida, also wind hardening). PACE financing is repaid as an assessment on the property’s regular tax bill, and is processed the same way as other local public benefit assessments (sidewalks, sewers) have been for decades. PACE can be used for commercial and residential properties.
The Town of Miami Lakes works with the following providers:
YGRENE: https://ygrene.com
Click here to get more information on PACE.
Incentives for Solar:
City or State Incentives for Solar
Federal Tax Incentives for Solar
What is a Neighborhood Solar Co-op?
A solar co-op is a group of homeowners that bundle their buying power to secure a volume discount on rooftop solar PV systems. They use free-market principles to solicit competitive bids from area solar installers in order to secure the best price and ensure a quality product.
Check out Neighborhood Solar Co-op Program for information on the local solar local co-op.
