Solar Rebate Update
The solar energy system rebates are issued by the Florida Energy & Climate Commission pursuant to Sections 377.801-377.806, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 27N-1, Florida Administrative Code, contingent upon an annual appropriation by the Legislature of the State of Florida for the specific purpose of funding solar rebates. Rebates can only be issued if funding is available. There is no Guarantee of Funding.
• The Energy Office has recently ramped up staffing to deal with the thousands of solar rebate applications received to date.
• The initial $5 million Federal Stimulus Allocation from the State Energy Program (SEP) Funds has been received and expended.
• The $9.4 million from the Federal Stimulus Allocation from the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant was denied by the Department of Energy.
• On September 29, 2009, the Florida Energy & Climate Commission (FECC) reallocated $9.4 million from the SunSmart School Program to the Solar Rebate Program.
• Total funding for the Solar Rebate Program for fiscal year 2009-2010 . . . $14.4 million.
• Since July 1, 2008, a total of 4,780 solar rebate applications have been approved and are being processed for payment representing approximately $12.2 million.
• The remaining balance as of October 16, 2009, according to the Energy Office’s website is $2.2 million.
• The Energy Office is currently processing applications from May 2009.
• The Energy Office updates the website every Friday.
• The Energy Office has approximately 4,570 solar rebate applications remaining to be processed and continues to process them daily.
• The Energy Office receives on average approximately 40-50 solar rebate applications daily.
• The Energy Office finds approximately 30% of the solar rebate applications rejected for insufficient information (these are returned to the applicant for completion) or found to be ineligible for the program.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Do you know if the Rebates in FLA are assignable?
October 27th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
No. The Florida Rebate program does not have a provision for assigning the rebate money to a third party. It is designed to directly rebate the owner of the solar system. Hopefully the State Legislature can find a way to ensure that all applicants receive the rebate money and create a continuing revenue stream that to support future rebates. I’m not quite sure how I feel about the position FlaSEIA has taken to create a revenue stream through off shore oil exploration revenues. Seems counter intuitive.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Do you know when the State will make an announcement on the Solar Rebates for next year?
February 5th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
joebsolar, where did you get the information you posted regarding funds and dates for applications they are processing? Was this from a source at the state energy office? Thanks.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Most of the information is available at http://myfloridaclimate.com/climate_quick_links/florida_energy_climate_commission/state_energy_initiatives/solar_rebate_program but you can also call the Energy Office and ask them specifically.
Thanks, Joe