Special Session Delivers Cash for Solar Rebates & Air Conditioning Rebates

NOVEMBER 16, 2010 - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida's newly elected Legislature met Tuesday afternoon in special session to override seven bills and a budget item vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist.

Lawmakers decided not to take up controversial vetoes on such issues as teacher merit pay and abortion, but limited the list to bills they hoped both Republicans and Democrats could support.

The targeted bills included one that restores an appropriation of about $10 million for Shands Hospital in Gainesville and another that allows local governments to dump yard trash in landfills to save money on pickups.

Legislators also approved $31 million in federal stimulus cash so Florida can make good on its promise to pay rebates to consumers who made air conditioning and solar upgrades.

The money will provide $1,500 rebates to Floridians who applied for air conditioning rebates. The rest of the cash will go to consumers who installed solar panels.

Sen. John Thrasher calls the infusion of cash rebates into the economy a positive move.

"I think it's good for our economy, good for jobs and I think it'll send some messages that this Legislature is serious about getting back to work and getting to work even on an organizational day like today is.

However, there is such a big backlog of applications in the solar rebate program - more than 13,000 - those consumers will only get a percentage of the rebate.

Crist signs bill funding Fla. energy rebates

The Associated Press November 17, 2010

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist has signed a bill that allocates $31.3 million in federal stimulus money for rebates on the purchase of energy saving devices.

Crist signed the legislation (HB 15-A) on Wednesday, just one day after Florida lawmakers passed it during a special session.

It funds rebates on solar energy and high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems.

The state has a backlog of 13,000 unpaid applications for solar rebates with an estimated value of $52 million. As a result, applicants will get a bit less than what they were promised.

The $1,500 heating-air conditioning rebates are for applications received by Nov. 30 on systems bought or contracted for between Aug. 30 and Sept. 14.

Treasury Section 1603 Program included in Tax Bill

December 10th, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) President and CEO Rhone Resch released the following statement today applauding the Senate's inclusion of a one-year extension of the Department of Treasury Section 1603 program in their tax bill compromise:

"The 1603 tax credit has created flexibility for funding renewable energy projects and is fundamental for keeping the solar industry growing in America. To date, the program has facilitated the construction of more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states. At a minimal cost to the tax payer, the 1603 program has supported $18 billion in investment in new renewable energy projects throughout the country and has created tens of thousands of jobs. Plain and simple, this program provides the greatest return on taxpayer dollars. The program has allowed the solar industry to grow by over 100 percent in 2010, create enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes and double domestic solar employment to more than 93,000 Americans. This program has created new opportunity for electricians, plumbers, and construction workers during the worst economic climate since the great depression.

"An extension of the program will keep our U.S. industry growing and help achieve the industry's goal of installing enough new solar energy to power 2 million new homes each year by 2015. None of this would be possible without the tireless leadership of solar's champions on Capitol Hill on both sides of the aisle. In particular, Senators Cantwell, Feinstein, Ensign and LeMieux stepped up to support American jobs in the renewable energy industry and helped convince the Senate to include this provision in the final bill.

"But this is not over yet. Congress must now move swiftly to pass this compromise bill and keep solar working for America."

The TGP was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Section 1603) to provide commercial solar installations with a cash grant in lieu of the 30 percent solar investment tax credit (ITC). President George W. Bush signed the 8-year ITC into law in 2008, but the economic conditions created by the global recession made it clear that few would be able to utilize the tax credit.

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