Double Rainbow Leads to Pot of Gold for Florida Solar Rebate Program

What does it mean!?

Anyone who is in the solar business or has invested in solar in the last year probably cringes every time they drive north of Orlando on the Turnpike when they see the billboards promoting Florida as the Solar State. It is especially discouraging when a four year solar energy program is now perceived as a failure, not because of lack of interest but because of lack of funding, or political will.

Frustration has been building day in and day out, clients calling their installers and the Governors Energy Office without any sign of hope that the State is willing to make good on their promises. I recently had a conversation with a very high ranking politician who couldn’t find value in funding the solar program because no jobs would be created; the money owed was for previous jobs. After the stunt the legislature pulled during their so called special session lasting only 43 minutes debating over the motion to adjourn which came within the first 15 minutes of the session, the people of Florida are looking forward to this year’s election season, and being an incumbent is not a good seat to be in.

Then came the magical sign of hope. A theoretical double rainbow that has led the Florida Energy & Climate Commission to a pot of gold. This week the Florida Energy & Climate Commission decided to allocate $13.8 million in unspent “found” Federal Stimulus dollars to begin issuing checks to some of the approved solar rebate applicants. Though this is only the tip of the iceberg in claims to be paid it’s a start. Additionally the commissioners said that the program stoked the false expectation that people who installed their solar system during the program timeline would automatically receive rebates, eventually. The result, the long waiting list of people who didn’t want to miss out on solar rebates if the legislature failed to act again…

The commission has publicly committed to continue to seek additional funds for those still waiting unfortunately there is no timeframe as to when the additional money will be found. The proverbial check is in the mail, but for some of you, it really is.

So Intense.