Some Solar Rebates in Florida Re-activated

Florida lawmakers have given consumers a new shot at claiming rebates from a pair of energy-saving programs that shut down months ago.

A vote during last week's special session of the Legislature allotted $31 million in federal stimulus money to help people who bought solar power systems or extra-efficient heating and air- conditioning systems. Gov. Charlie Crist has signed the legislation.

The solar rebates will be far short of what the state initially offered, which was up to $20,000 for people who installed lots of photovoltaic panels to power their homes. But it's a step up from the state's last answer, which was that the program was out of money and was finished.

"I'll take what I can get and be happy for that much. But I feel like we should get more," said Norma Stefanik, who spent about $38,000 in 2009 to outfit her Westside Jacksonville home with solar panels.

She said the state program advertised rebates without processing claims that were coming in, then abruptly shut down after becoming overcommitted.

"At the time we signed our contract, their website - and I have a copy of their website at that time - said they had money to pay their rebates," she said.

The state isn't accepting new applications for solar rebates but will take air-conditioning applications postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 30 if they meet some narrow program requirements, said Brenda Buchan, a program manager in Crist's energy office. Florida's solar rebate program expired June 30.

State officials expect up to 4,000 air-conditioning applications that meet the state criteria, Buchan said.

The air-conditioning program only covers work that was contracted or bought between Aug. 30 and Sept. 14 of this year, and by the deadline has been completed and passed a test that shows little leakage from ductwork. There's a checklist of paperwork people have to attach to an application form, which they can get online at www.rebates.com/floridahvac.

The maximum air-conditioning rebate is $1,500, and can be awarded for installing heat pumps and geothermal systems.

Passing the duct test for the rebate cost J.B. Ulch of Jacksonville about $1,100 for repairs, but he figures he'll save on the power bill to his Southside home.

"I'm not air-conditioning my attic anymore," Ulch said.

Air-conditioning rebates should be issued by late winter, but solar rebates could take until April, Buchan said.

The bill that financed the payment specified that every air-conditioning application had to be processed first, and that whatever money was left could be used for solar consumers.

State officials previously estimated the money reaching air-conditioning customers might total about $2.5 million.

An estimated 13,000 to 16,000 solar applications could be approved, Buchan said. There won't be enough money to cover the original rebate offer, so Buchan said the state will pro-rate whatever money it has.

That way, she said, "everybody gets something."

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