MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) -- When you consider what Floridians are facing, intensifying storms and increased utility bills, solar energy advocates say their industry is necessary.

"We had about 250 clients that had solar and battery systems go through Hurricanes Ian, Milton, and Helene, and incredibly we really had almost no failures in those systems after those storms," said Bill Johnson, the owner of Brilliant Harvest LLC and President of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association.

Johnson was at his Sarasota warehouse Friday. Boxes of new solar panels and batteries fill the shelves. 8 On Your Side asked, "Could a low-income family even afford solar panels right now?"

"Today it's difficult," said Johnson. "But there are good programs for that. Taking away the tax credits, takin

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