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The controversy is over what happens when the power supplied via the grid goes out. There are generally two options that could be taken here, in light of the ar

The controversy is over what happens when the power supplied via the grid goes out. There are generally two options that could be taken here, in light of the argument that a powered house connected to an unpowered grid is unsafe: 1. Any solar system on the house would be required to shut off at the same time, leaving the house without power from any source, or 2. A solar system on the house could continue to provide power to the house, but only if the house is temporarily disconnected from the grid while doing so. Florida law effectively requires (1) and forbids (2). "Effectively" because, although a switch is present which could disconnect from the grid temporarily to allow the solar system to power the house, only the power company is permitted to operate it, and in fact the power company is permitted to physically lock the switch to prevent disconnection from occurring, thus preventing the solar power system from being used when the grid is down. The net result of these policies is that, yes, it is in fact not legally possible to continue supplying power to your house from solar when the grid is down.

maxerickson 9y ago
Is there some guidance from the state somewhere that makes [2] clear? Would be more informative than the link.
KGIII 9y ago
The ability to lock it is almost certainly for lock-out, tag-out reasons. They will come ensure you're disconnected and then just one person has the key to the lock they put on it. That one person isn't the supervisor, but the person doing the work. If more than one person work on it, they will all put locks on it.
- ubernostrum 9y ago
  What it's intended for is irrelevant. What's at issue is they can just leave a lock on there permanently, as a means of leaving you completely without power when the grid goes down.
  - KGIII 9y ago
    That makes no sense. If the grid power is out, they want that switch turned off. If its not, you're pushing power to the grid. If its off, you're not and you are using it for your home power needs.
    - ubernostrum 9y ago
      No, the thing that is actually happening is the switch is not getting flipped to disconnect when the grid goes out. Which means the solar panels also need to stop producing power, and leave the house entirely without power. That is literally the thing people are complaining about here.

maxerickson 9y ago

Is there some guidance from the state somewhere that makes [2] clear? Would be more informative than the link.

KGIII 9y ago

The ability to lock it is almost certainly for lock-out, tag-out reasons. They will come ensure you're disconnected and then just one person has the key to the lock they put on it. That one person isn't the supervisor, but the person doing the work. If more than one person work on it, they will all put locks on it.

ubernostrum 9y ago
What it's intended for is irrelevant. What's at issue is they can just leave a lock on there permanently, as a means of leaving you completely without power when the grid goes down.
- KGIII 9y ago
  That makes no sense. If the grid power is out, they want that switch turned off. If its not, you're pushing power to the grid. If its off, you're not and you are using it for your home power needs.
  - ubernostrum 9y ago
    No, the thing that is actually happening is the switch is not getting flipped to disconnect when the grid goes out. Which means the solar panels also need to stop producing power, and leave the house entirely without power. That is literally the thing people are complaining about here.