Most residents consider solar energy to be a futuristic or impractical concept.

As a result, Florida solar energy ranks 23rd in the nation in energy efficiency, according to the nonprofit American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. And Florida solar energy is way down the nation league table.

``We buried our head in the sand,'' said Camille Coley, executive assistant vice president for research at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. ``We want to continue to live our lives and not make necessary changes.''

It's not like the state isn't trying. Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature created the Florida Energy & Climate Commission in 2008 to promote and develop solar energy sources as well as to study how to reduce greenhouse gases.

The commission has helped put through legislation to increase energy efficiency in state-owned buildings and cars and to require all new buildings be more energy efficient by 2019.

Further, the Florida Public Service Commission has recommended utilities generate 20 percent of their power through renewable energy sources such as solar energy within the next 10 to 20 years.

``The technology is there,'' said Craig Williams, executive director of the Florida Renewable Energy Association, whose home is powered by Florida solar energy. ``There's no reason why all Floridians can't be using it.''

By far the state's most readily available natural resource, the sun shines in Miami about 70 percent of the time there is available daylight, according to the National Weather Service. Compare that to 58 percent of the time in New York City or 47 percent in Seattle.

Even when it's cloudy, sun rays penetrate to the ground, said meteorologist Rusty Pfost.

``We get a lot of sun here, so Florida solar energy is definitely something we could do more of,'' he said.

To encourage its widespread use, Florida had offered residents a rebate up to $20,000 for using solar panels but funding has run dry.

The state otherwise has applied pressure on utilities to rely more on renewable energy. In October, FPL opened a solar-powered plant in Arcadia with 90,000 solar panels, able to power up to 35,000 homes.

Steven Baillie, owner of Solar Concepts in Boca Raton, said he installed six solar systems on homes this year.

Each panel is about 15 square feet and produces 200 to 300 watts of electricity in direct sunlight, enough to power air conditioning, television sets and computers.

Baillie said the system will pay for itself in about four to five years, adding, ``It's a good investment.''

He estimates about 1,000 homes in South Florida have already installed solar panels. Yet, according to the Florida Energy & Climate Commission, the number of homes that use solar energy -- and requested a state rebate -- is fewer than 200.

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