US Solar energy development eclipsed by rivals and policies

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According to a recent report by accounting giant Ernst and Young, the US is falling behind China and India in its ability to attract investment in solar energy development. The report blames President Donald Trump's roll-back on climate policies and boosting of the coal industry.

Stoddard is the mayor of South Miami where, beginning next month, most new home construction must be fitted with solar panels. He says it's his answer to President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

"You've got mayors across the country saying 'we are going to support the Paris climate accord if we can figure Out how to do it,' and so this is one of the ways you can do it,” Stoddard said.

The US government says a system similar to this costs about 8,000 dollars in Florida after a tax rebate. Despite trailing China, solar installation in America, like elsewhere, is growing rapidly amid a steep decline in the cost of solar-panels.

In Florida, only large utilities can sell electricity. Solar companies are banned from selling power directly to consumers from the panels they install. Some critics of South Miami's mandate say permitting competition would be more effective at promoting solar.

Amy Cooke, the director from Independence Institute Energy Policy Center, said that "A government mandate is the worst way to go. You should allow markets to work, individuals to innovate, technology to work, that's how we're going to get a cleaner environment and people in control of their own homes.”