Starting with the oil shocks of the early 1970's, the search began for clean, renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuel. Even with the wildly fluctuating availability of Federal funding for research and development of non-fossil, non-nuclear energy alternatives, many renewable energy types have advanced to the point where they are now becoming cost competitive with "traditional" fuel types. Miami-Dade is uniquely positioned as a strong potential user of alternative energy technology and as an export hub to emerging markets in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa and established markets in Europe.
Commissioner Sorenson has developed a comprehensive plan to build a foundation for the growth of the solar energy industry in Miami-Dade County:
Economic Development:
By developing a strong foundation for the development of an alternative energy manufacturing, distribution, and export economy, Miami-Dade would be well positioned to capitalize on the growing domestic and international market. Additionally, by encouraging the use of alternative energy technologies for domestic consumption, our community can reap the many direct and indirect benefits of these energy technologies.
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Security and Disaster Mitigation:
There are also a number of reasons for the use of solar and other alternative energy technologies that are sometimes underappreciated. Residential developments as well as commercial, industrial and government properties can become more energy independent by insulating themselves from short-term energy grid disruptions, gain improved resilience to natural disasters, and moderate the financial shocks of petroleum supply disruptions and seasonal price fluctuations for oil. Additionally, in light of the growing instability and hostile nature of the regions supplying a significant portion of our petroleum, greater proportional use of alternative, home-grown, energy will help reduce our national dependence on foreign sources of petroleum.
Land Use Planning:
In a County concerned about the availability of developable land, solar technology in particular will maximize available landmass for energy production, reducing the demand for large centralized power plants by making rooftops and parking lots into solar power plants.
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Low Income Economic Stability:
Alternative energy solutions should be a significant component of the County's energy weatherization program for low-income residents. Electric bills are a disproportionately significant burden for low-income residents, and integrating alternative energy solutions into low-income residences will provide the double benefit of improving the quality of life for those less fortunate, but will act as a de facto subsidy resulting in reduced electric bills.
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Research and Development:
Research and Development is a critical element needed to grow and sustain an alternative energy industry. Again, Miami-Dade is fortunate to have several significant energy research institutions in our County. Florida International University offers Environmental degree programs and is home to the Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology, which has an aggressive alternative energy research component. The University of Miami hosts the Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy and the Clean Energy Research Institute. Additional opportunities are readily available to leverage the considerable knowledge base of Florida's Universities, such as the University of Central Florida's Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa. Also, there are opportunities to enhance construction trade accreditation for alternative energy installation, repair and maintenance companies through Miami-Dade College and Vocational-Technical schools in the County. Training courses on the installation and maintenance of photovoltaic and thermal solar systems would help create a healthy pool of local qualified contractors.
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