Under the direction of Governor Jeb Bush, the Florida Energy Office allocated funds for the installation of solar water heaters in low-income households throughout Florida. The program, called Front Porch Sunshine was initiated and operated by the Florida Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation, with technical assistance from the Florida Solar Energy Center.

The goal of Front Porch Sunshine was to improve the quality of life of low-income families by installing solar water heating systems at their homes. Because 20 to 25 percent of household energy use in Florida goes toward heating water, conserving that energy saves money. For Florida's low-income population, water heating can be an even more significant portion of monthly expenses than for the average family. Program recipients saved 50 to 80 percent of their water heating costs.

The only program of its kind in the nation, Front Porch Sunshine worked hand-in-hand with Governor Bush's groundbreaking community revitalization initiative, Front Porch Florida, by extending the environmental and economic benefits of solar to Florida's neediest citizens. Front Porch Sunshine worked in 20 designated Front Porch communities to improve the quality of life of these low-income households by reducing their monthly expenses. Once introduced to the concept, community leaders were able to continue the program by accessing funding directly from Florida’s weatherization assistance program.