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Energy used by type in our area
This is where your money goes. In Palm Bay, Melbourne and surrounding areas electricity use is dominated by air conditioning (A/C) due to the region’s hot, humid subtropical climate, with cooling accounting for roughly 40–50% of residential energy consumption, especially during the long summer months. Water heating follows, making up about 15–20%, as electric water heaters are common in many homes. Appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and laundry machines account for around 15%, while lighting (increasingly LED-based) and electronics (TVs, computers, chargers) together comprise about 10–15%. Heating is minimal, as Palm Bay’s mild winters rarely require it, though some use electric space heaters sporadically. Overall, electricity in Palm Bay reflects a warm-weather energy profile, with A/C as the primary driver, supported by a mix of modern appliances and efficiency measures.
Florida energy price increases over 5 years
Over the past five years, from 2020 to 2025, the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential electricity in Florida has risen noticeably, though the increase has been moderated by recent fluctuations in natural gas prices and regulatory adjustments. In early 2020, Florida’s average residential electricity rate was around 9.6 cents/kWh, a low point during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it rebounded sharply, reaching a high of 15.93 cents/kWh in February 2023 due to surging natural gas costs—driven by global events like the war in Ukraine, domestic supply constraints, and extreme weather. By mid-2024, rates had eased slightly to around 14–15 cents/kWh, thanks to lower natural gas prices and temporary rate reductions by utilities like Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy, but they remain higher than in 2020. As of early 2025, the average rate stands at about 15 cents/kWh, reflecting a roughly 50–60% nominal increase over five years.
Some history and other information
Israel is a long time user of solar energy
Israel began adopting solar energy in a significant way in the 1950s, primarily through the development of solar water heaters to address energy shortages in the new nation. By 1967, around 5% of households were using solar-heated water, and by the 1970s, following the oil crisis, solar water heating became mandatory for all new residential buildings, with over 1.3 million systems installed. This made Israel a global leader in solar thermal energy per capita, with over 90% of homes using solar water heaters by the early 1990s.
For solar photovoltaic (PV) power, commercial-scale adoption began in the 21st century, with notable growth starting around 2008 when Israel’s first solar power station opened and feed-in tariffs were introduced. However, broader governmental targets for renewable energy, including solar, were set later. In April 2016, the Israeli government adopted a resolution aiming for 17% of annual electricity generation from renewable sources (mostly solar) by 2030, reflecting a more structured commitment to solar PV beyond thermal systems. In October 2020, the government approved a plan to increase solar capacity to raise renewable power generation to 30% by 2030, indicating ongoing expansion.
So, while Israel’s use of solar energy dates back to the 1950s with solar water heating, the modern push for widespread solar PV electricity generation gained momentum in the 2000s and was formalized with significant policy targets in 2016 and 2020. 2016 marks a key year for official renewable energy adoption goals, but the story starts much earlier with thermal systems.
Hawaii’s solar history
Hawaii began adopting solar energy in earnest in the mid-20th century, primarily through solar water heating systems, driven by the state’s high energy costs and reliance on imported fossil fuels. The first significant push came in the 1950s and 1960s, when solar water heaters gained popularity to offset electricity use, especially after the 1970s oil crisis. By 1980, state building codes mandated solar water heaters for new single-family homes (with some exceptions), and by the 1990s, about 25–30% of homes had them, making Hawaii a leader in per-capita solar thermal adoption.
For solar photovoltaic (PV) power, which generates electricity, the modern push started in the early 21st century. While small-scale PV projects began appearing in the 2000s, significant growth kicked off around 2008–2009, with projects like the 2 MW concentrating solar power project by Sopogy on Hawaii Island and the 1.5 MW La Ola Solar Farm on Lanai. By 2010, Hawaii generated just 56 GWh from PV, but adoption surged due to high electricity prices (three to four times the mainland U.S. average) and abundant sunlight. By 2015, Hawaii led the U.S. in installed solar capacity per capita, with rooftop solar on homes and businesses becoming widespread—over 40,000 systems were installed on Oahu alone by the end of that year.
Policy milestones reinforced this shift: in 2008, streamlined permitting for renewable projects began, and in 2010, state codes requiring solar water heaters for new homes were solidified. The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, launched in 2008 with a goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030 (later raised to 100% by 2045 in 2015), marked a formal commitment to solar and other renewables. By 2023, solar (both distributed and utility-scale) provided about 19% of Hawaii’s total electricity, with customer-sited systems (rooftops) dominating.
So, while solar water heating started in the 1950s, widespread solar PV adoption for electricity began in the late 2000s, with major policy and market momentum from 2008 onward. If you’re looking for a single “start” date, 2008–2010 marks the significant launch of Hawaii’s modern solar electricity transition, fueled by economic necessity and policy support.
U.S. energy consumption comparison
The United States is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, accounting for approximately 17% of global energy use despite having only about 4% of the world’s population. In 2023, the U.S. consumed around 100 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) of energy, primarily from fossil fuels like petroleum, natural gas, and coal, though renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower are growing. Per capita, U.S. energy consumption is significantly higher than the global average—about 300 million British thermal units per person annually, compared to the world average of roughly 75 million BTUs—driven by its large economy, industrial activity, transportation needs, and high standard of living. Transportation, particularly gasoline for vehicles, and electricity generation for homes and businesses are the largest sectors of U.S. energy use.
Globally, energy consumption is dominated by a handful of countries and regions, with China leading at around 25% of the world’s total, followed by the U.S., India, Russia, and the European Union. However, per-capita consumption varies widely: developed nations like Canada, Australia, and Saudi Arabia rival or exceed U.S. levels, while many developing countries, especially in Africa and parts of Asia, use far less due to lower industrialization and economic activity. The U.S. stands out for its historical reliance on fossil fuels, though it’s transitioning toward renewables, albeit more slowly than some nations like Denmark or Costa Rica. Overall, the U.S. consumes a disproportionate share of global energy, reflecting its economic size but also raising questions about sustainability and efficiency compared to other regions.
US energy consumption by source
In 2023, renewable energy accounted for approximately 21% of U.S. total energy consumption, a significant but still minority share compared to other sources. This includes hydropower (6%), wind (10%), solar (4%), biomass (2%), and geothermal (less than 1%). While renewables have grown rapidly—driven by declining costs, policy incentives, and climate goals—they remain secondary to fossil fuels, which dominate U.S. energy use. Petroleum leads at about 36%, primarily for transportation, followed by natural gas at 33%, used for electricity, heating, and industry. Coal, once a major player, has declined to around 10%, largely replaced by natural gas and renewables in power generation, while nuclear energy contributes about 8%, providing steady baseload power.
This distribution highlights the U.S.’s ongoing reliance on fossil fuels, especially petroleum and natural gas, despite renewable growth. Wind and solar have seen the fastest increases, with wind surpassing hydropower as the largest renewable source, but their intermittent nature limits their ability to fully displace fossil fuels or nuclear without advances in energy storage and grid infrastructure. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects renewables could reach 25–30% of consumption by 2030, but fossil fuels are expected to remain dominant unless policy or technological breakthroughs accelerate the transition. Nuclear, though clean, faces challenges like high costs and public resistance, keeping its share stable but not expanding significantly.
Over the coming days we will explain how Enphase energy systems can help.
Imagine slashing your electricity bill while soaking up Florida’s endless sunshine—right here in Palm Bay, Melbourne and surrounding areas, where solar energy is transforming homes and the environment. Solar panels, like the cutting-edge Enphase systems now lighting up local rooftops, offer a beacon of hope. From solar water heaters—pioneered in Florida since the 1950s—to modern photovoltaic systems, Brevard and Indian River Counties sunny skies and growing renewable adoption (21% of U.S. energy consumption in 2023) make it a prime spot for clean, cost-saving power.
Call 321-674-9667 for a no pressure discussion about how we can potentially help you save money with Solar power!
