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.

The main measure of solar system performance is energy production. Understanding what factors affect the solar array energy production may be helpful in determining optimum performance. The factors include: Amount of Sunlight, Ambient Temperature, Orientation of Solar Array Surface, Tilt Angle of Solar Array, Voltage Drop in Wiring, Inverter Efficiency in Power Conversion, Obstructions Which Shade Solar Array, Dust, Dirt, Leaves etc. on Solar Array Surface. If you have any questions regarding these factors please feel free to use this blog as an avenue to post and discuss these topics. I will do my best to provide you with accurate information in a timely manner.
Pure Energy Solar,
Director of Engineering

The GRU feed-in tariff program has the potential to attract major new renewable energy investments and provide a vital boost to the local economy. More than 220 companies currently produce, sell or install solar PV products in Florida alone. While the program does not require that solar PV equipment be sourced from or installed by local or in-state companies, products and service providers must meet all applicable national and local standards and be licensed to operate in Florida.

Indeed, solar companies in the Gainesville area reported that the initial implementation of the feed-in tariff program was good for business. Wayne Irwin, president of Pure Energy Solar, a contractor based in the city, says the program will “grow the industry.” Mike Antheil, executive director of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, agreed that investments could amount to as much as $50 million in the long run. However, because preference for local solar companies was not written into the program, it may also attract solar companies from out-of-state who aim to capitalize on the expected growth.

For more information please visit Pure Energy Solar or click here.

Gainesville, Fla. is the first city in the country to adopt a new solar incentive program, making it profitable for an average person or business to put up solar panels and begin feeding power back to the grid. Jennifer Collins reports….

For more information, please click here or visit Pure Energy Solar.