Paul Gipe talks about Feed in Tariff  effects on ratepayer impact.

The event held on the 3rd of February in Tallahassee marked the first of a three day tour
that rocked the renewable energy world in the State of Florida.

The Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy (FARE) held it’s conference ‘Effective Renewable Energy Policies’ for a standing room only crowd of more than 250 people on February 3rd in Tallahassee. The conference focused on which policies were most cost effective to the ratepayer and would result in the most jobs created to keep Florida dollars in state. Seven delegate members from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) were present. Members of the EPIA account for 80% of the world’s solar power production. Executives from Q Cells, Phoenix Solar, Solar World, and SMA told the incredible growth stories of their companies and time and again stressed to the crowd the direct correlation between the growth of their respective companies and the implementation of a Feed in Tariff policy mechanism in Germany and throughout Europe. In Germany, where the Feed in Tariff was crystallized, the country currently produces more than 50% of the world’s solar power while having the solar radiance as Juneau, Alaska. Florida is currently one of ten states to consider such a mechanism, which goes by many names such as Renewable Energy Payments, Feed in Tariffs and Renewable Energy Dividends. Jobs and economic recovery were discussed at length as the primary benefit of the policy design. The availability to install solar and other types of renewable on every home, church, farm, condo and commercial property was correlated to the thousands of permanent jobs created and millions of dollars that would be kept in the State. The conference also had a special focus on Gainesville, FL., the first municipality in the United States to introduce a Feed in Tariff policy structure.

The delegation of EPIA members spent the next day on a whirlwind tour of the State’s Capitol, being welcomed by more than 30 state legislators and officials, each time telling their remarkable growth stories and sharing their views on how a Renewable Energy Dividend, aka Feed in Tariff, policy design led to their success.

Other speakers and sponsors of the event included National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), MMA Renewable Ventures, Dexia Finance, The World Future Council, The Alliance for Renewable Energy (ARE), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Mayor Hanrahan of Gainesville, Mayor Marks of Tallahassee and Florida Senator Lee Constantine.

“The Florida economy needs new engines of growth; renewables can add hundreds of thousands of jobs here; the catalyst will be energy policies such as Gainesville’s solar feed in tariff that lead to long term investment security. We are delighted that the world’s largest solar companies spent time in Gainesville and Tallahassee to see first hand the investment opportunity in the Sunshine state” says John Burges of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy.

To view and download presentations from the February 3rd Conference – click here

John Burges of FARE welcomes Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan and EPIA Secretary General Adel El Gammal.

Conference Headlines:


Feb. 6th Commission gives its approval to feed-in tariff for solar power

Feb. 6th Representative Kreegel takes issue with PSC recomendation

Feb. 6th Gainesville Regional Utilities Approves Solar Feed-In Tariff

Feb. 6th GRU: Leading the Nation

Feb. 5th Gainesville leads nation in Green efforts

Feb. 4th Gainesville reports on Solar Summit

Feb. 4th European Delegation touts Feed in Tariff in Florida

Feb. 2nd Conference pushes Renewable Energy

EPIA Promotes Conference

Success in Gainesville!!

The Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy congratulates the City of Gainesville for their brave leadership. On February 3rd, Mayor Hanrahan and
the City Commissioners officially approved the first municipal Feed in Tariff policy in the United States.

Photo courtesy of GRU

Effective Renewable Energy Policies:
Stimulating Job Creation, Long Term Investments,
and Improving Energy Security

Solar on Every Rooftop!

Panels included:

• ‘Lessons from Europe and US States’ – Deployment of successful renewable policies.
• Costs vs. Benefits – The potential opportunity if policies are right.
• What energy policies will drive the market and bring jobs to Florida?
• Florida based implementation.
• Legislative Roundtable.

Key objectives reached:

• Explored green jobs and long term investments.
• Discussed Renewable Energy Payments, also known as Feed in Tariffs, regarding their significant potential to address climate change, create new jobs and support the renewable energy industry
• Further developed policies that have driven the clean technology markets.
• Update on the Renewable Portfolio Standard rules from the PSC.
• Strengthened and Supported legislative initiatives in Florida.
• Explored various levels of initiatives adopted by utilities.
• Built coalitions and networks.
• The Gainesville Solar Feed in Tariff.

Who was in attendance: State legislators, environmental and energy advocates, renewable energy industry representatives,local and state utilities, local government officials interested in green job economic development, nonprofits and foundations committed to a renewable energy future.

Speakers included: leading environmental organizations, Florida State legislators, investors, renewable energy industry organizations and leading energy companies.

Featuring:

• Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan
• Tallhassee Mayor John Marks
• Senator Lee Constantine
• Dr. Murrary Cameron, COO Phoenix Solar
• Boris Schubert, President, Q Cells
• Adel El Gammel, Secertary General, European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
• Jerome Guillet, Head of Energy, Dexia
• Barry Rockwell, Vice President of Opeartions, SMA America
• Detlef Rogal, Phoenix Solar
• Dan Halperin, MMA Renewable Ventures
• Paul Gipe, Alliance for Renewable Energy (ARE)
• Christy Herig, Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)
• Barry Moline, Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA)
• Toby Couture, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• Jeramy Shays, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
• Michael Midden, Dexia
• Jerry Karnas, Endvironmental Defense Fund (EDF)
• John Burges, Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy (FARE)
• Wayne Wallace, Solar Source
• Ed Regan, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU)

 FARE Executive Director Mike Antheil talks about the events in Tallahassee and Gainesville:
(*editorial note: Q-Cells is the largest cell manufacturer in the world, hence the name....sorry Mr. Shubert!)