Florida votes down measure to scrub rooftop solar

Florida residents voted to protect the solar energy industry Tuesday, shutting down a utility-backed amendment to the state’s constitution that would have imposed higher fees on solar users and stopped expansion of the the renewable resource.

“By voting to stop an amendment funded by the state’s wealthy utilities, Floridians made clear that they care about their rights — their property rights, their right to competitive markets and their right to go solar,” said Tom Kimbis, interim president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, the rooftop solar industry’s national lobbying group.