Going Off the Grid Just Got Harder in Florida

If you live in Florida, you might want to do extra research before installing solar panels to your home. It turns out that even if a homeowner becomes completely self-sufficient and can generate their own power, they are still legally required to connect to their local utility company.

The investment to convert to solar energy is a large one; many people spend tens of thousands of dollars installing a multitude of panels onto their roofs. While the money eventually pays off and allows homeowners to run their home indefinitely just off solar alone, there is a caveat that needs to be taken into consideration.

Utility companies all across Florida dictate their own regulations when it comes to customers connecting to their power source. Unfortunately, a lot of these companies are bound by state code, which forces homeowners to be connected, whether they want to be or not.

One might think that the solution is to be hooked up to the company, but not actually use the power, but sadly it’s more complex than that. Utility companies charge monthly service fees simply for having an account with them, so there’s one charge you can’t avoid. Additionally, solar power requires batteries that need to be recharged every now and again. While you could use a generator for it, ultimately that power has to come from somewhere.

What if a resident decides to just stop paying their utility bill, however small it might be? Yes, they would get disconnected from their local company, but that creates another problem. The state of Florida can actually revoke your certificate of occupancy and you will not be allowed to continue residing in your home if you are off the grid.

The decision to go solar is right for a lot of reasons, but make sure you do your research in your particular state, just to make sure you don’t make a change that brings huge consequences.