Watch CBS News

Solar Rebates Finally Being Distributed

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami.com) – Floridians who decided to take advantage of the sun by purchasing solar energy systems are finally getting some of their rebate from the state.

The rebates were promised more than two years ago and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said he made the rebates a priority since his department inherited the program a few months ago.

But, even though the rebates are coming, they will not be for the originally promised amount. Instead, the 8,800 rebates will be approximately 52 percent of the requested amount.

The rebate amounts were calculated by dividing the total dollars available by the number of approved applications.

The reason behind the cut in rebate payouts was the response to the program was greater than the state legislature expected and the program quickly ran out of money in 2009.

The Florida Legislature in 2010 appropriated $29 million for the program, but it still wasn't enough to pay the full rebates.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.