Solar energy proponents say the benefits of switching from polluting fossil fuels to renewable sources are substantial – creating jobs, providing clean power sources and diversifying Florida's power supply. But some consumer advocates and utility critics are raising concerns about the costs of solar energy – now many times higher than for other sources – and proposals to allow utilities to pass on the costs of such projects without traditional state regulatory oversight.

"We have got to look at all energy solutions," said Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, who is in line to be the next Senate president. "The ratepayers need to know exactly what the costs would be…In a very weak economy, asking consumers to pay three or four times more may be untenable."

FPL's solar plants were built under a provision in a 2008 law that allowed utilities to pass the costs of solar or wind projects generating up to 110 megawatts of energy without the normal regulatory review. FPL officials have said that kind of a provision is needed for it move forward with other solar projects, including a $300 million 75-megawatt solar plant as part of a sustainable city planned on Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County.

Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink asked the state legislature to pass a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bill. The bill would allow state residents to use government bonds to help pay for clean energy measures in homes across Florida.

"This problem-solving legislation will allow businesses and homeowners to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy dependence," Sink said in a press release. "Most importantly, we can spur economic growth and create homegrown private sector jobs in the emerging clean energy marketplace. Florida should be a world leader in solar technology, and this will help us begin laying that foundation."

The PACE bill would allow Florida property owners who can't afford clean energy the option to use bonds to pay for improvements such as solar panels, retrofits and wind-resistant improvements.

Taxpayers would not be footing the bill for these bonds. Instead, appraisers would reassess homes and businesses that get new clean energy measures. Home or business owners would pay for the bonds through taxes on the new values of their property.

Sink's press secretary Kevin Cate said that the initiative will create many clean energy jobs in the state. He added that it would cut energy costs for businesses and home owners.

The bill passed committees in both the Florida House and Senate. It is now headed to a floor vote.

Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink asked the state legislature to pass a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bill. The bill would allow state residents to use government bonds to help pay for clean energy measures in homes across Florida.

"This problem-solving legislation will allow businesses and homeowners to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy dependence," Sink said in a press release. "Most importantly, we can spur economic growth and create homegrown private sector jobs in the emerging clean energy marketplace. Florida should be a world leader in solar technology, and this will help us begin laying that foundation."

The PACE bill would allow Florida property owners who can't afford clean energy the option to use bonds to pay for improvements such as solar panels, retrofits and wind-resistant improvements.

Taxpayers would not be footing the bill for these bonds. Instead, appraisers would reassess homes and businesses that get new clean energy measures. Home or business owners would pay for the bonds through taxes on the new values of their property.

Sink's press secretary Kevin Cate said that the initiative will create many clean energy jobs in the state. He added that it would cut energy costs for businesses and home owners.

The bill passed committees in both the Florida House and Senate. It is now headed to a floor vote.