From a concrened citizen of the great State of Florida, I urge you to work for the passage of the bill CS/HB 7179!The current OIL disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is a HUGE wake-up call.We need to promote and FUND alternative RENEWABLE and CLEAN energy options for our citizens, NOT ENERGY CORPORATIONS!!We have only a few hours left to decide on a positive dirrection for our SUNSHINE STATE.You can make a difference!!
Thank you,
Douglas Nuanamker, Quincy, Florida
Dear Senator Atwood;
Please support Senator Bennett’s Amended CS/HB 7179 for the Solar Public Benefit Fund. Generating Electric Power where it is consumed is the most efficient method for generating electric power! A ‘Decentralized’ electric power generation model far outweighs a ‘Central’ System that requires building out the grid and loss of up to 50% of the power generated through line loss. The demand for clean electric power will continue to increase as we transition to electric vehicles. Our neighboring States and Countries recognize the benefits of installing Solar Electric Power Systems on individual Residences, Schools, Municipal Buildings and Businesses.
It makes cents to have Solar Electric Power being generated where it is consumed…
Respectfully;
Kevin Maloney
Vero Beach
Dear Senator Bennett,
I have been following what is going on regarding renewable energy in this year’s session and was greatly disappointed that your bill for the public benefits fund was killed. I don’t know if you have any way of getting this bill out of committee and passed at this late stage of the game, but I wanted to write to you to tell you that I hope you can.
I am graduating next week from Florida Institute of Technology where I will gain my engineering degree in Ocean Engineering. I followed this educational track, after having had a career in another industry, so I am old by college standards (28 years old). I have a passion for renewable energy and also just got my CVC license recently. You would think that armed with an engineering degree and a CVC license I would be able to get a job in Florida. Without an incentive program for solar for the individuals, it will be impossible to create jobs in the private sector.
I am writing to you to really encourage you to get public utilities bill passed. Everyone I have spoken to at FIT and friends and family all think that .25 is way too reasonable and they are all willing to have at least $1.00 attached to their utility bill. My greatest fear is that without a public benefits fund, then the individual’s rights to have solar on their roof is not part of the equation, and the only ones who will install solar are the utilities. I am sure you are aware of the statistics about transmission loss, but having distributed generation is REALLY good for our state. There is an average loss of 20% of the electricity just from the grid to a home. Solar on the roof top results in only 5%-6% loss (4% for inverter inefficiencies, and 2% for wire loss from the panels to the main). For this reason alone, it would make sense that to save on our grid, we should have distributed generation.
Please reconsider your decision, and see if there is some way to get a public benefits fund passed. If this bill is passed, then I am sure I will be able to remain in Florida, get a job in the solar/renewable industry, and be a good contributing citizen to this fine state of ours.
Sincerely yours,
Kelly Dunn
Melbourne, Florida
Dear Representative Roberson,
I'm writing to you to request that you demonstrate your support for solar energy in this legislative session. A sustainable energy future based on efficiency and renewables is vital to the future prosperity of our state, and I believe that the legislature should provide incentives to encourage Floridians to install solar hot water and electric systems on their homes and businesses.
Specifically, I would like you to support House Bill 1267/1269 (or Senate Bill 2404/2406) which would establish a Public Benefits Fund to provide a stable and reliable funding source for solar in Florida. This bill would not require any money from the general fund, and would add only a tiny fee to Floridians' monthly utility bills. Passage of this bill would allow the state to fund the backlog of existing solar rebate applications, as well as continuing the Solar Rebate Program through 2015.
Given the state of our economy and the need for jobs, I believe we need to support promising industries such as the solar industry. Installing solar energy systems on our residences and businesses keeps our energy investments in Florida, rather than exporting our investments out of state. Providing incentives directly to Florida's families and business owners rather than to the investor-owned utilities means that Main Street rather than Wall Street will receive the benefits of investing in solar.
Solar energy is important to my family, and we hope that as our representative in Tallahassee you will show your vision for the future of our State by supporting solar energy for Florida's families.
Sincerely,
Coty K.
Please tell Ken I am counting on him to use his influence to get the bills out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. I have had enough inaction from the legislature this session. Please also pass to Ken that I am losing patience (let's say I am angry) with the legislature subsidizing the utility companies' solar projects while neglecting the homeowners and small business installers. This is a wrong I am counting on him to take action to correct.
Coty K.
Dear Senator Bennett,
I am happy to hear that you may be considering drafting a new bill that will
create a public benefits fund for solar installations in Florida. I would just like to voice my complete support for this idea. I would me more than happy to pay $.25 per month to fund this effort, in fact I think it should be $1.00 or more per month. $12 per year is a small price to pay for distributed, renewable energy for Florida. It seems that our most vulnerable system is our energy grid, in which production is centered around a few key targets. Distribution of energy production on individual roofs would greatly help to mitigate against this risk. With all the talk of terrorism lately, I feel that this is a point that is often overlooked and the solution to it is so readily available.
The oil leak off of the coast of Louisiana is said to potentially reach the
shores of Florida as early as tomorrow. Need I say more?
Lastly, it is apparent that distributed solar will create many jobs throughout the state, and keep the jobs of many already struggling electricians and contractors. I know several electricians and contractors that are planning on learning more about solar or are getting certified as a solar contractor as a way to fill the gaps between their typical work, but the lack of a Public Benefits Fund will greatly impact the viability of this idea.
We need energy security, environmental protection, energy independence, and job creation more than we ever have. This one bill could help to solve four problems at once. I didn't even get into the benefits of peak demand reduction and the lowering of utility rates across the board. This should not be a voluntary contribution!! $3.00 per year is nothing! Please make every effort to make this a mandatory charge for every meter in the state.Please make this happen for us!!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Lee
I have just received your post card mailer and was very pleased to see that a group has formed with our common interest. I am desperately waiting for a $20000 rebate and have been searching for months on how to find out if the program is going to be funded again. When do we find out and how? I love my solar system but cannot afford it without the rebate that I was sold on.
It makes me sick that government continues to fund fossil fuel and or corporate solar initiatives when the world is desperate for change. local solar does so much more for the local community! More jobs, growth of small business, homeowner pride and of course sustainable energy!
Alex L.
I appreciate your notification regarding the rebate program. Being on
Social Security Disability is frustrating enough but to have the government
send businness people with the promise of rebates only to be told later there
is no money is a crock, deceitful and would have caused me top probably not
make the purchase at all.
Is there any class action litigation pending or anticipated to recoup the
so-called promised money that I believe may have hurt others even more so
than myself? I'd appreciate knowing any that you can offer since this
becomes increasingly costly and shamefully by the same people we elected to
represent us-not betray!
As Floridian voters, we must be able to maintain the Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund. Discriminating against the solar heating homeowner in favor of the electric utilities is unacceptable.
Pat L.
Dear Honorable Sir/Ms.,
I am writing with concern over the Solar Power Incentive Rebate program that has run out of money, here in Sunny Florida. In good faith, I purchased a photovoltaic solar system for my home this past year. I had it installed and in operation by the end of FY2009 with the hopes of obtaining a rebate from the State of Florida in the amount of $20,000 dollars. The system costs way more than that amount.
I understand the utilities are subsidized with free solar plants from our tax dollars while the rebate program for Florida' families has effectively been eliminated and all incentives are gone, leaving some of us unpaid. The current Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act allowed for up $20,000 per household. I feel that this program should be funded until the expiration date which is June 30, 2010. I am currently awaiting my rebate and would greatly appreciate your help in providing funding. This program helps the power companies by lifting the demand household by household power consumption. Thus far this year, I have produced 2,450 kilowatts of power, instead of using from the over burdened grid. Please help us who tried to help!
Sincerely,
Steve Fredriksen
Sir: Please pass funding, 2010, for our solar rebate program. I have had my solar system installed last June, 2009 and I am still waiting for the passage of Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund.
Thank you Albert & Rita S.
If funding gets dropped I plan on getting SOLAR SUCKS Bumper stickers. I'm getting laid off from the Shuttle Program and I get to spend my severance
paying back the solar Loan. Thanks to the Legislature.
John C.
I purchased a Solar hot water system last September and have not received my $500.00 rebate yet and I understand I maybe in jeopardy of not receiving it at all. I am not in the best financial situation and I depended on this rebate. I would not have purchased the system if I knew I would not receive the rebate therefore I need your help.
Thank you very much.
Ed
Thank you for sending me info. on the Solar rebate program. I was wondering why the Great State of Florida has not sent me my rebate since December 2009 (Now I Know). I have sent letters to my District Representative & Senator's to support the Florida Solar Energy program.
It is beyond comprehension that the public has been promised a rebate by the State of Florida for Solar Energy, and the State Legislature has not yet funded it. We will remember who you are when we go to the polls.
Kenneth G.
I have been fooled by a company named SDI in Riviera Beach. they installed a new solar panel and new 66 gal heater and charge me $ 10K with the promise to receive $3k from the state, $500 from the city and 2K from FPL.Total $5.5K out of 10k.so far nothing happened and they even do not answer their phone.
Yves L.
Maintain Solar Energy Rebates for individuals, not big power companies.
Kim M.
I was promised a rebate on the Solar Water Heater that I had installed. I feel that our Legislators should make sure that the people who are trying to use natural energy and help on saving our planet should make sure we get our rebates as promised.
Susan M.
Dear Dean Cannon,
My name is Jerry Riverstone, and I am writing on behalf of Floridians for Energy
Independence. I am writing to request Representative Cannon's support for the inclusion of a Public Benefits Fund for Solar Energy in the amended energy bill Bill No. CS/HB 7179.
The legislators are truly being handed an easy victory with this bill. In its currentversion the Public Benefits Fund being requested is voluntary, and would entail no mandatory rate increase for utility customers, as well as no new taxes. The bill would, however, be important to Florida's solar industry, as well as the families and businesses that want solar on their rooftops.
Eighteen States have similar funds, and Maine also has a voluntary fund. The Fund would create a legal mechanism that can be used to help leverage federal funding for solar and other renewable energy in Florida.
Please join with the other Senators and Representatives who have decided that the Public Benefits Fund is a great idea and deserves to be supported.
Sincerely,
Jerry Riverstone
KEEP THE SOLAR REBATE ALIVE
John P.
I purchased the Solar Water Heater with the understanding I would get a rebate, which sould go towards paying down the cost of the equipment. We need to support the Solar Rebate Program through 2015.
Darryl H.
I am writing about the Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund. Last year I bought a solor water heater with a promise I would get a $500.00 rebate on it. The government seems ways to take money for us, but when they promise a rebate program they find ways to not pay up.
Thank you
Paula L.
We hope the effort to get our FL legislature to be forthcoming with our promised solar energy rebate will be successful.
Andy & Judy S.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Representative Clay Ford- WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TODAY
To the Honorable Clay Ford;
We strongly believe in the need for individuals around the world to assume
more responsibility for energy production and distribution. Having seen
massive commercial windmill farms and solar collection areas, we argue that
these unnecessarily take up land, reduce space for wildlife, and may have
questionable effects on both humans and animal life. If, instead, the roof
of every home had photovoltaic panels connected to "the grid", the results
would be positive. The amount of non-solar fuels used to create
electricity would decrease significantly, local related businesses would
flourish, our world would be cleaner, space that normally provides only a
shield from the elements would be productive, distribution of electricity
would not be as affected by natural disasters, and individuals would be more
likely to recognize their own connections and responsibilities to the
community as a whole.
Unfortunately, the initial cost of installation of a photovoltaic system is
beyond the means of most families. We support introduction and passage of
a bill that would add up to $1.00 to each monthly residential electric bill
for the purpose of creating a public fund for reimbursement of a portion of
installation costs. We currently pay $.50 on every monthly telephone bill
for maintenance of a 911 emergency call system. This is assumed to benefit
the community as a whole, although most families may never use the system.
Accordingly, a flat monthly charge added to the electric utility bill would
be of benefit to the entire community without being an undue burden on any
one group.
Bruce M. Phillips
Roseanna H. Phillips
This was Mr. Ford's response to his constituents:
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips:
Your proposal makes a lot of sense and would not create an undue burden for
any user of power services but create a public pool for the benefit of all.
I would hope that we could offer some low cost options for lower income
individuals to participate. Thanks for the suggestion. If I remain on
energy committee for next year, I'll get it brought up for discussion. Best
wishes.
Clay
We strongly believe in the need for individuals around the world to assume
more responsibility for energy production and distribution. Having seen
massive commercial windmill farms and solar collection areas, we argue that
these unnecessarily take up land, reduce space for wildlife, and may have
questionable effects on both humans and animal life. If, instead, the roof
of every home had photovoltaic panels connected to "the grid", the results
would be positive. The amount of non-solar fuels used to create
electricity would decrease significantly, local related businesses would
flourish, our world would be cleaner, space that normally provides only a
shield from the elements would be productive, distribution of electricity
would not be as affected by natural disasters, and individuals would be more
likely to recognize their own connections and responsibilities to the
community as a whole.
Unfortunately, the initial cost of installation of a photovoltaic system is
beyond the means of most families. We support introduction and passage of
a bill that would add up to $1.00 to each monthly residential electric bill
for the purpose of creating a public fund for reimbursement of a portion of
installation costs. We currently pay $.50 on every monthly telephone bill
for maintenance of a 911 emergency call system. This is assumed to benefit
the community as a whole, although most families may never use the system.
Accordingly, a flat monthly charge added to the electric utility bill would
be of benefit to the entire community without being an undue burden on any
one group.
Bruce M. Phillips
Roseanna H. Phillips
This was Mr. Ford's response to his constituents:
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips:
Your proposal makes a lot of sense and would not create an undue burden for
any user of power services but create a public pool for the benefit of all.
I would hope that we could offer some low cost options for lower income
individuals to participate. Thanks for the suggestion. If I remain on
energy committee for next year, I'll get it brought up for discussion. Best
wishes.
Clay
Florida's Solar Public Benefits Fund: Keeping Pressure On
Reasons to include the Solar Public Benefit Fund in the pending Energy Bill
1 ) It’s voluntary. It does not impose any new tax burden on Floridians.
2) It has no impact on the Florida budget. It creates a legal mechanism to allow both the Federal and State government to add funds if available but does not require the federal or State government to do so.
3) It demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to solar. It will be used to both pay down the current backlog of Solar Rebate applications, as well as continuing a scaled-back Solar Rebate Program. This will allow the solar market to mature rather than creating a boom and bust. ( No massive job loss)
4 ) Green Jobs. The PBF will keep hard-won Green Jobs here in the state of Florida.
5) Florida’s solar industry will take the lead. The solar industry will carry the weight of informing the public about the fund. Consider it a public good, much like a blood drive.
6) The Public Benefit Fund will allow the wealthy and corporate interest to invest in projects like habitat for humanity, and low and middle income housing construction. Incorporating solar hot water and solar electrical system by doing so these people will see energy efficient homes with greatly reduced utility bills. Also helping out States construction and building industries.
1 ) It’s voluntary. It does not impose any new tax burden on Floridians.
2) It has no impact on the Florida budget. It creates a legal mechanism to allow both the Federal and State government to add funds if available but does not require the federal or State government to do so.
3) It demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to solar. It will be used to both pay down the current backlog of Solar Rebate applications, as well as continuing a scaled-back Solar Rebate Program. This will allow the solar market to mature rather than creating a boom and bust. ( No massive job loss)
4 ) Green Jobs. The PBF will keep hard-won Green Jobs here in the state of Florida.
5) Florida’s solar industry will take the lead. The solar industry will carry the weight of informing the public about the fund. Consider it a public good, much like a blood drive.
6) The Public Benefit Fund will allow the wealthy and corporate interest to invest in projects like habitat for humanity, and low and middle income housing construction. Incorporating solar hot water and solar electrical system by doing so these people will see energy efficient homes with greatly reduced utility bills. Also helping out States construction and building industries.
Public Benefits Fund Is Still Breathing in Tallahassee
This morning we spoke to Senator Bennett and he told us that he was going to "work like mad" to get the Public Benefits Fund language put back into his amended bill CS/HB 7179 this morning. However, the primary opposition at this hour is Senators Alexander and Atwater.
We need to ask you again to make calls to their offices (calls are better) and then follow up with an email. We need to ask you to do this ASAP, since this is the LAST day of this year's session. Yesterday, your calls helped to convince Senator Bennett to try to fight for us here. So please, make these two calls this morning. For additional speaking points, go to our website at www.ffei.org.
Call and email these senators, tell them to support a Public Benefits Fund and to support Senator Bennett's bill 7179.
Senator JD Alexander (850) 487-5044 email: alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeff Atwater (850) 487-5100 email: atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov
We need to ask you again to make calls to their offices (calls are better) and then follow up with an email. We need to ask you to do this ASAP, since this is the LAST day of this year's session. Yesterday, your calls helped to convince Senator Bennett to try to fight for us here. So please, make these two calls this morning. For additional speaking points, go to our website at www.ffei.org.
Call and email these senators, tell them to support a Public Benefits Fund and to support Senator Bennett's bill 7179.
Senator JD Alexander (850) 487-5044 email: alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeff Atwater (850) 487-5100 email: atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov
FFEI Fights for Solar Rebates
A group of us started a non-profit group, Floridians for Energy Independence, to try to get the solar rebates paid for the 8,000 disenfranchised voters who are waiting to see if they will get their checks. Despite great odds, we have been actively trying to get a Public Benefits Fund attached to a bill as an amendment. We have been reaching out to the republican leadership through a grass roots movement (www.ffei.org)and there are some of the letters that have been sent to Senators Bennett, Atwater, & Alexander.
Dear Senator Bennett,
I am happy to hear that you may be considering drafting a new bill that will create a public benefits fund for solar installations in Florida. I would just like to voice my complete support for this idea. I would me more than happy to pay $.25 per month to fund this effort, in fact I think it should be $1.00 or more per month. $12per year is a small price to pay for distributed, renewable energy for Florida. It seems that our most vulnerable system is our energy grid, in which production is centered around a few key targets. Distribution of energy production on individual roofs would greatly help to mitigate against this risk. With all the talk of terrorism lately, I feel that this is a point that is often overlooked and the solution to it is so readily available.
The oil leak off of the coast of Louisiana is said to potentially reach the shores of Florida as early as tomorrow. Need I say more?
Lastly, it is apparent that distributed solar will create many jobs throughout the state, and keep the jobs of many already struggling electricians and contractors. I know several electricians and contractors that are planning on learning more about solar or are getting certified as a solar contractor as a way to fill the gaps between their typical work, but the lack of a Public Benefits Fund will greatly impact the viability of this idea.
We need energy security, environmental protection, energy independence, and job creation more than we ever have. This one bill could help to solve four problems at once. I didn't even get into the benefits of peak demand reduction and the lowering of utility rates across the board. This should not be a voluntary contribution!! $3.00 per year is nothing! Please make every effort to make this a mandatory charge for every meter in the state.
Please make this happen for us!!
Jonathan Lee
Dear Senator Bennett,
I am happy to hear that you may be considering drafting a new bill that will create a public benefits fund for solar installations in Florida. I would just like to voice my complete support for this idea. I would me more than happy to pay $.25 per month to fund this effort, in fact I think it should be $1.00 or more per month. $12per year is a small price to pay for distributed, renewable energy for Florida. It seems that our most vulnerable system is our energy grid, in which production is centered around a few key targets. Distribution of energy production on individual roofs would greatly help to mitigate against this risk. With all the talk of terrorism lately, I feel that this is a point that is often overlooked and the solution to it is so readily available.
The oil leak off of the coast of Louisiana is said to potentially reach the shores of Florida as early as tomorrow. Need I say more?
Lastly, it is apparent that distributed solar will create many jobs throughout the state, and keep the jobs of many already struggling electricians and contractors. I know several electricians and contractors that are planning on learning more about solar or are getting certified as a solar contractor as a way to fill the gaps between their typical work, but the lack of a Public Benefits Fund will greatly impact the viability of this idea.
We need energy security, environmental protection, energy independence, and job creation more than we ever have. This one bill could help to solve four problems at once. I didn't even get into the benefits of peak demand reduction and the lowering of utility rates across the board. This should not be a voluntary contribution!! $3.00 per year is nothing! Please make every effort to make this a mandatory charge for every meter in the state.
Please make this happen for us!!
Jonathan Lee
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Floridians For Energy Independence Unites Disgruntled Solar Voters
Last week we formed a non-profit company (501c4) Floridians For Energy Independence (www.ffei.org) to reach out to the 8,000 people who installed solar in Florida in the past 12 months who are currently waiting to see if the 2010 Legislature will pay the promised rebates.
We mailed post cards to all 8,000 voters and asked them to call their lawmakers THIS week and tell them to earn their vote this election year by passing a Solar Energy Public Benefits Funds. It is important that our elected officials be reminded that this is an election year and they should not count on getting our votes just because they are currently in office. We have to take back our control over our elected officials and tell them that we are not going to stand idle while they provide incentives and opportunities for the big corporations and electrical utilities, and ignor the average Floridian family.
We are the only organization that is supporting a sustainable program to provide incentives to individuals to install solar. Without this program, the solar industry will be dead in Florida. Just about every state has some form of a public benefits program, but the 2010 Florida legislature seems dead set against giving the public the RIGHT to install solar on our rooftops.
Please go to www.ffei.org to learn about the public benefits fund and call your legislators this week. The 2010 legislative session ends this coming friday, April 30,2010 so we need your action today.
We mailed post cards to all 8,000 voters and asked them to call their lawmakers THIS week and tell them to earn their vote this election year by passing a Solar Energy Public Benefits Funds. It is important that our elected officials be reminded that this is an election year and they should not count on getting our votes just because they are currently in office. We have to take back our control over our elected officials and tell them that we are not going to stand idle while they provide incentives and opportunities for the big corporations and electrical utilities, and ignor the average Floridian family.
We are the only organization that is supporting a sustainable program to provide incentives to individuals to install solar. Without this program, the solar industry will be dead in Florida. Just about every state has some form of a public benefits program, but the 2010 Florida legislature seems dead set against giving the public the RIGHT to install solar on our rooftops.
Please go to www.ffei.org to learn about the public benefits fund and call your legislators this week. The 2010 legislative session ends this coming friday, April 30,2010 so we need your action today.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Public Benefits Fund versus Footing the bill for Utilities
Senate Bill 992 passed out of the Senate Energy committee. SB992 is the Senate Energy Bill and includes language from SB 1186, sometimes called the "FP&L Bill", which repeals the RPS and replaces it with a 3-year, 700MW goal for utilities which would allow them to pass the construction costs back to their ratepayers. This has not passed yet, but probably will, so all of us ratepayers can expect to foot this $4.2 billion deal. What will this mean to ratepayers? Each one of us will have to pay approximately $468 (in total) to build 700 MW for the utilities. This will probably work out to $18 a year for the next 25 years, and then we still don't even know how much more the utilities will charge us for "their" green power.. it is "theirs" after all since we are not benefiting with financial savings on our electric bills.
Yes, the concept of a Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund is so outrageous to those in power this year.. they make statements like ".25 a month is a tax, and we can't tax citizens in a recession." Well-- what would .25 added to every ratepayers utility bill add up to? A whopping $3.00 a year, and it would put $30 million into a fund that would be used to pay people (NOT UTILITIES) for incentives to be able to afford to put solar on their roofs, and REDUCE their monthly utility bills. Instead, the legislature wants us to pay $18.00 a year to build solar farms for our utilities. What are they thinking in Talahassee?? Oh, I guess they're not.
Yes, the concept of a Solar Energy Public Benefits Fund is so outrageous to those in power this year.. they make statements like ".25 a month is a tax, and we can't tax citizens in a recession." Well-- what would .25 added to every ratepayers utility bill add up to? A whopping $3.00 a year, and it would put $30 million into a fund that would be used to pay people (NOT UTILITIES) for incentives to be able to afford to put solar on their roofs, and REDUCE their monthly utility bills. Instead, the legislature wants us to pay $18.00 a year to build solar farms for our utilities. What are they thinking in Talahassee?? Oh, I guess they're not.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Rep Adam Hasner's ScapeGoat for Solar
A woman recently wrote to Majority Leader Adam Hasner about the rumors she had heard that Mr. Hasner did not support paying those on the solar rebate waiting list because he thought that only rich people installed solar. She showed me his reply to her letter, penned quickly to quell any rumors about this as just "plain silly" but what alarmed me in his response was the outrageous blatant untruth he cited, where he claimed "From your letter it appears that your daughter was sold a solar system during a time in which no money had been placed in the rebate program for two years. The installer should have known that this was the case and should have informed her of the likelihood that no rebate would be available." I do not understand how our Majority Leader in the Florida House of Representatives would make such an untruthful, unsubstantiated obvious falsehood. In fact, there was $14.4 million from ARRA funding reprogrammed into the solar rebate program. Where does he get off stating otherwise? My cause for concern is that I feel that Mr. Hasner may be setting up the solar contractors to be the scapegoat for the state, to take the fall for the state's mismanaged solar rebate program. From his letter he appears to be posturing for the blame that will go down when the state is unable to pay those on the waiting list.
The responsibility to tell the citizens of Florida how much money remained in the system was the responsibility of the FECC. The solar contractors relied on the same information as individuals applying for rebates. This information was located on the FECC rebate website. The FECC had a responsibility to update this information and they failed to do so. Up until the end of October 2009, the rebate website continued to say that there was funding available and specified the dollar amounts remaining. Therefore, anyone who installed and applied for a rebate through the end of October was doing so under the direction from the FECC that there was money in the program.
It was not until late December 2009 that the FECC first mentioned to the public that funding ran out in June 2009.
Given that there are 8,000 disenfranchised individuals in Florida currently waiting to see if the legislature will pay them their rebates we know that it is going to be a dicey situation for everyone this year, but as our elected representatives, Mr. Hasner should have the responsibility to impart correct information to the voters, and not try to plant the seed that the solar contractors misrepresented the facts. Rep Hasner is clearly MISREPRESENTING the facts.
The FECC should have (but did not) post on a daily basis how much money had been applied for. This would have given the installers and the homeowners a benchmark as to what remained in the system. The FECC maintains a running database in excel that they use internally to see how much money has been applied for. I do not understand why they failed to pass this information along to the public.
We need to make our voices heard. We need to get everyone to take the time to phone and write their legislators and tell them to support a public benefits fund. This will be the only way that the solar industry will be able to continue in Florida. Right now it appears that the Florida legislature is about to nail the coffin shut on solar in Florida, so make your voice heard during these last two weeks. Please call your legislators and tell them that you want them to support a public benefits fund, and that in this election year, this will be one of the sole criteria for who you decide to vote for.
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