Consumers for Smart Solar

A controversial solar-energy ballot initiative fell short short of the 60 percent voter approval it needed Tuesday.

Just days away from the election, Consumers for Smart Solar, the group campaigning in favor of Amendment 1, continues to receive millions of dollars in contributions.

A motion to block the controversial solar amendment on this year's ballot was filed Wednesday by attorneys for the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and Floridians for Solar Choice, which are opposed to Amendment 1, citing that the proposal is misleading.

Backers tout Amendment 1 on the November ballot as a consumer protection measure, but critics and editorial boards malign the effort as an attempt to hinder the development of alternative fuels.

After voters cast their ballot for a solar initiative on Tuesday, supporters and opponents clarify differences with another solar proposal on November ballot.

Primary-election voters Tuesday approved the expansion of a renewable-energy tax break.

Part of the education process will be to ensure voters know the proposal on the August primary ballot isn't tied to the state's more controversial solar-energy amendment.

The light is fading for one of two solar-energy initiatives trying to get on Florida's 2016 ballot. The "Floridians for Solar Choice" coalition, remains about 400,000 petitions short of qualifying for the 2016 ballot and is in the midst of a contract dispute with a petition-gathering firm.