Powering Florida's Solar Future Through Smart Policy
The Solar Power PAC ensures that the voices of Florida's solar industry are heard clearly in every policy decision that matters.
What is the Solar Power PAC?
The Solar Power Political Action Committee (Solar Power PAC) is the political action arm of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA). It enables the solar industry to actively participate in Florida's political process by supporting candidates who champion a strong solar market, high-paying skilled jobs, and energy independence for Florida families.
Every contractor, manufacturer, distributor, and advocate who contributes helps FlaSEIA maintain an effective presence in the legislative process — protecting solar jobs and keeping Florida open for business.
The PAC's resources are directed toward candidates and initiatives that support net metering, fair interconnection standards, transparent permitting, and insurance fairness for solar customers.
Issues That Shape the Market
These are the pressing policy battles FlaSEIA is fighting on your behalf — issues that will determine the shape of Florida's solar landscape for years to come.
Consumer Access to Rooftop Solar
Stable net metering, fair interconnection, and transparent permitting processes are essential to maintaining customer confidence and sustaining market demand.
Homeowner Insurance Fairness
Insurance instability is creating friction in the market. FlaSEIA advocates for clear, consistent standards that prevent unfair coverage denials or premium increases for solar homes.
Consistent, Predictable Regulation
We work to ensure uniform inspection practices, reasonable permitting timelines, and building codes aligned with current technologies and best practices.
Resilient Solar & Storage
As weather-related risks increase, Florida needs policies that support resilient solar and storage systems — enabling companies to deliver reliable, future-ready energy solutions.
Florida's Solar Workforce
A reliable, well-trained workforce is critical to meeting demand. FlaSEIA's Foundation manages the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship Program to build the talent pipeline.
Energy Independence
We champion policies that give every Florida family and business the opportunity to take control of their energy future through accessible, affordable solar installation.
FlaSEIA's Work in the Capitol
FlaSEIA was active throughout the 2026 Florida Legislative Session, working with legislators to shape, amend, and when necessary defeat legislation affecting your business. Here is the record of what happened and where FlaSEIA engaged.
Backup Power Systems Permitting — SB 968 / HB 1049 → SB 526 / HB 405
FlaSEIA Actively NegotiatedAs originally filed, SB 968 and HB 1049 would have eliminated building permit requirements entirely for solar-plus-storage backup systems up to 50kW output or 100kWh storage, requiring only a post-installation inspection. FlaSEIA members raised significant concerns about the complete elimination of permits and worked directly with Sen. McClain to negotiate improved language.
Contractor Payments — SB 290 ("Ag Package")
Signed into Law — March 23, 2026As originally introduced, this bill would have imposed criminal penalties — including felony charges — on prime contractors who failed to pay subcontractors or suppliers within 30 business days. FlaSEIA members raised concerns about the bill's impact on the industry and engaged the Senate on amendments.
Budget Special Session — Mid-April 2026
Ongoing — Session ReconveningThe 2026 session concluded without a budget — the legislature's only constitutional requirement — with the House and Senate more than $1 billion apart in proposed spending. A budget-focused special session is expected in mid-April, with additional sessions planned for congressional redistricting (week of April 20) and potential property tax discussions.
Building Permits & Inspections — HB 803
Passed — Awaiting GovernorA comprehensive overhaul of the permitting and inspection process. The bill directs the Florida Building Commission to develop a uniform statewide permit application, sets tighter and more predictable timelines for permit approvals, reduces administrative costs, and makes it easier for builders to engage private providers during building code inspections.
DEP Solar Facility Erosion Controls — HB 1417
Signed into Law — March 19, 2026Establishes new environmental safeguards for the construction of solar facilities. Applicants for certain water-related permits must now develop site-specific erosion and sediment control plans, including soil percolation testing, stormwater runoff controls, and site stabilization protocols. Projects in the Northwest Florida Water Management District face additional requirements.
Ban on Local Net-Zero Policies — HB 1217
Passed — FlaSEIA is MonitoringHB 1217 prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing policies referencing "net-zero," from using public funds to advance such policies, or from imposing any related charges. One Miami Republican joined all Democrats in opposition. The bill limits local governments' ability to pursue clean energy purchasing or incentive programs that have historically supported solar demand.
Data Center Energy Regulations — SB 484
PassedPassed regulations aimed at managing the impact of large data centers on water and utility usage. However, the final bill was significantly weakened from the original proposal — with business-friendly carve-outs that keep early planning stages of data center development from public view. Governor DeSantis' push for a broader AI Bill of Rights tied to this issue failed to pass the House.
PSC Reform / Utility Rate Oversight — HB 127 / SB 186 / SB 1532
Failed — Died in SessionBipartisan efforts to reform the PSC and rein in utility profits collapsed after significant lobbying from Florida Power & Light. Sen. Gaetz's bill would have capped utility returns on equity at the national average and expanded the PSC. Sen. Smith's Affordable Energy Reform Act would have capped profits and required more transparency in rate hike cases. None of the reform measures made it through — leaving consumers exposed as electricity bills continue to rise.
Solar Facility Decommissioning — SB 200
Failed — Did Not PassWould have authorized counties to require solar facilities over one megawatt to be properly decommissioned within 24 months of reaching end of useful life, including removal of all above-ground infrastructure and restoration of agricultural land. Counties would also have been authorized to require financial assurance from facility owners to cover estimated decommissioning costs.
DBPR Industry Restructuring — HB 607
Failed — Second Year in a RowFor the second year running, an effort to restructure the Department of Business and Professional Regulation failed. The bill would have eliminated continuing education requirements for licensed professions and abolished the Construction Industry Licensing Board and the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board.
Backup Power Systems Permitting — SB 968 / HB 1049 → SB 526 / HB 405
FlaSEIA Actively NegotiatedOriginally would have eliminated permits entirely for solar-plus-storage backup systems up to 50kW/100kWh, requiring only inspection. FlaSEIA members raised significant concerns and worked directly with Sen. McClain on improved language.
Contractor Payments — SB 290 ("Ag Package")
Signed into Law — March 23, 2026Originally proposed felony charges for contractors who failed to pay subcontractors within 30 days. FlaSEIA engaged the Senate, resulting in removal of all criminal penalties and extension of payment window to 45 days with license-based enforcement for willful violations.
Budget Special Session — Mid-April 2026
OngoingSession concluded without a budget. A special session is expected mid-April. Additional sessions planned for redistricting (week of April 20) and potential property tax discussions. House and Senate remain more than $1 billion apart.
Contractor Payments — SB 290
Signed — March 23, 2026After FlaSEIA engagement, criminal penalties were removed. Final version requires subcontractor payment within 45 days with license suspension/revocation for willful violations. Also creates fines for aggressive door-to-door solicitation at no-solicitation properties.
Building Permits & Inspections — HB 803
Passed — Awaiting GovernorEstablishes uniform statewide permit applications, tighter timelines, reduced administrative costs, and easier access to private inspection providers during building code inspections.
DEP Solar Erosion Controls — HB 1417
Signed — March 19, 2026New environmental safeguards for solar facility construction: erosion control plans, soil percolation testing, stormwater runoff controls, and certified inspector requirements.
Ban on Local Net-Zero Policies — HB 1217
Passed — ConcerningProhibits local governments from adopting net-zero policies or using public funds to support them. Could dampen municipal and county solar procurement programs that have historically supported market demand.
Data Center Energy Regulations — SB 484
PassedRegulations managing data center water and utility usage — significantly weakened from original version with business-friendly carve-outs reducing public transparency requirements.
PSC Reform / Utility Rate Oversight — HB 127 / SB 186 / SB 1532
FailedBipartisan efforts to cap utility returns, expand PSC membership, and require more transparency in rate hike cases all collapsed — reportedly after significant FPL lobbying. Ratepayers left with no relief as the state's largest-ever utility rate hike takes effect.
Solar Facility Decommissioning — SB 200
FailedWould have authorized county decommissioning ordinances for solar facilities over 1MW, requiring removal and agricultural land restoration within 24 months of end of useful life, with required financial assurance from facility owners.
DBPR Restructuring — HB 607
Failed — 2nd Consecutive YearWould have abolished the Construction Industry Licensing Board and Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. Failed for the second year in a row, preserving professional licensing standards in Florida's solar workforce.
Make Your Contribution Today
The stakes for Florida's solar market have rarely been higher. Your contribution directly strengthens our ability to engage decision-makers, provide timely policy analysis, and protect market stability.
All contributions to the Solar Power Political Action Committee (Solar Power PAC) are voluntary and you may choose not to contribute. Any amount given, or the decision not to give, will not advantage or disadvantage you. Contributions or gifts to the Solar Power PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. The Solar Power PAC is required to report the name and mailing address of every company or individual contributor. For individual contributors, Solar Power PAC is required to report the occupation and employer of all contributors whose contributions exceed $100 in a calendar year.