Solar
Solar Energy in Hallandale Beach
The City of Hallandale Beach is a SolSmart Silver Designation!
The SolSmart is a new national technical assistance and designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. The SolSmart program seeks to address "solar soft costs," or business process or administrative costs that can increase the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. http://www.solsmart.org
Permitting Solar Projects
Permitting Checklist for Solar
For Permit Status or to Schedule an Inspection
Building Permit Application and Fees
Visit our Building Division's page for more information.
Florida Solar Laws
Florida law forbids an entity- including homeowners associations- from prohibiting the installation of solar or other renewable energy devices on Florida buildings. An association may require the approval of system installation and may establish restrictions for installations. However, any such restrictions must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and applied in a uniform manner for all association members. Also, any restrictions must not have the effect of impairing the performance or increasing the cost of the solar system.
In particular, a homeowner association may not prevent the installation of solar collectors on the roof of a home. The association may determine where on the roof the collectors may be installed, so long as the collectors face within 45 degrees of due south. Finally, any requirement(s) that a system be screened from view by trees, fences, ground mounting racks, or a remote roof location that is hidden from the street, with generally violate the statute: Title XI 163.04.
What is Net Metering?
In Florida, net metering rules we adopted in 2008. Net metering allows utility customers who connect approved, renewable generation systems - such as a photovoltaic system - to the electric grid to sell electricity back to the utility company up to 2 MW.
When customers generate electricity from their solar array for their home or business it may reduce the amount of energy they need to purchase from the utility and may lower their monthly electricity bills. If their system produces more energy than they need, the excess power is sold back to the grid. That amount of energy is deducted from their monthly bill or credited toward a future bill in the same calendar year.
To be eligible, a home or business owner needs to apply with the utility company and have their electric meter replaced with one that measures excess power supplied to the grid.
Consumer Protections
Solar photovoltaics are new to many of our City's residents. Please click on the links below which can help you make an informed solar photovoltaic purchasing decision.
IREC Clean Energy Bill of Rights
SEIA Consumer Guide to Solar Power
Financing Options
Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF)
The Solar Energy Loan Fund's (SELF) mission is to rebuild and empower underserved communities by providing access to affordable and innovative financing or sustainable property improvements, with a primary focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. SELF can provide unsecured personal loans for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. No minimum credit score, no income limits (minimum or maximum), and no minimum asset or home equity required. Visit SELF's website for Solar System Loans here to learn more.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a financing mechanism that operates through local providers in order to enable low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects (and in the State of Florida, also wind hardening). PACE financing is repaid as an assessment on the property's regular tax bill, and is processed the same way as other local public benefit assessments (sidewalks, sewers) have been for decades. PACE can be used for commercial and residential properties.
The City works with Broward County's providers listed here. To get more information on PACE, call one of the providers listed on Broward County's website (linked above).
Incentives for Solar
City or State Incentives for Solar
Federal Tax Incentives for Solar
Neighborhood Solar Co-op Program
What is a Neighborhood Solar Co-Op?
A solar Co-op is a group of homeowners that bundle their buying power to secure a volume discount on rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. They use free-market principles to solicit competitive bids from area solar installers in order to secure the best price and ensure a quality product.
Finding a Solar Installer
The City of Hallandale Beach does not endorse any specific solar installer.
Consult the Florida Solar Energy Industry Association to find a Solar Energy Expert near you.