Big beautiful bill pushes Florida solar workers off the cliff

Florida’s solar industry and employment skyrocketed along with the state’s energy demand and prices. Recent reports show that Florida solar workers have grown to over 12,000 workers (150,000 solar workers nationwide). The solar industry has become one of the top industries that drive job growth in state and across the nation.

The solar industry offers stable, well-paid jobs to tens of thousands of Floridians without the need for a four-year degree. In fact, recent job numbers show that 57% of all new solar power generation do not require a bachelor’s degree.

Growth and demand within the industry is driving companies (including US-based companies) (including US-based companies), expanding domestic solar power businesses, investing billions of dollars, and creating even more jobs across the US.

Unfortunately, the current big beautiful bills put these jobs at risk by pushing the solar industry off the cliff. The bill will quickly remove incentives introduced to reduce energy costs for everyone. The solar companies, which took the lead from the government, set up businesses and hired people to meet the demand.

The rapid removal of incentives and subsequent demand does not give businesses time to respond. Not only will this stop employment growth, but many Floridians will lose their jobs and careers if a big, beautiful bill is signed as written now.

One of the main supporters of the bill is Senator Rick Scott. And it’s well known that Rick Scott brands himself as the “employment governor,” a statewide job creation architect and is a strong campaign to boost Florida’s economy. Unfortunately, the solar-related provisions of one big beautiful bill contrast with his past commitment to strengthening the workforce.

By supporting the bill in the current state, Senator Scott will support the losses of thousands of established, high-paid jobs in an industry that has experienced rapid and record-breaking growth in recent years.

We are confident that reducing the solar industry is aimed at saving Americans money, but the effect will cost everything for hundreds of thousands of Americans – hopes of their income, security and advancement in careers on the ground.

The yes vote on the big beautiful bill is a disastrous blow to a rapidly growing industry, attracting a large number of Americans to the workforce with alternative routes to successful career paths outside the traditional academic path.

I urge Rick Scott and his Senate colleagues to consider job creation, workforce development, and economic growth across Florida and across the country if the bill is passed in its current form.

Bil Johnson, president and founder of Brilliant Herks LLC, is the current president of the Florida Solar Energy Industry Association, an industry association representing solar and storage contractors across the state.