Solar Energy Industries Association staffers recently took to the ground in Florida to oppose a state ballot measure that could essentially outlaw net metering—a practice that allows home owners with solar panels to use the power they generate to offset the cost of electricity they draw from the grid.

Amendment 1 is a measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that would alter the Florida constitution to guarantee homeowners the right to produce solar power but prevent residents without solar panels from "subsidizing" its production.

The measure is largely backed by fossil-fuel utilities. However, it has also picked up the support of groups like NAACP, which is worried that widespread net metering would shift the costs of producing traditional electricity onto people who can't afford to install solar panels on their homes.

SEIA is urging Floridians to reject Amendment 1. Association staffers started touring the state Wednesday to drum up opposition to the measure. Among them was Interim President Tom Kimbis, who attended a rally in St. Petersburg to say passage of the amendment could slow the development of the solar industry in Florida—a state whose abundant sunshine otherwise makes it a great location for solar power.

"If there is any place in the country, shouldn't it be the Sunshine State that embraces solar energy?" he told the crowd. http://bit.ly/2flUmGe

At least one recent poll found the vote whether to enact Amendment 1 could be close. The survey by Florida's Saint Leo University found that 59.8 percent of likely voters support the measure, which needs at least 60 percent of voters to approve the amendment to pass. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. http://bit.ly/2eQBctn

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