$Millions owed in Solar Rebates

[GoodWitch58]

Florida owes $52.7 million in unpaid solar energy rebates - St. Petersburg Times

The state owes Floridians $52.7 million in unpaid solar energy rebates and has no immediate plan to honor its financial promise.

More than 15,800 people await the rebates, which were dangled before homeowners and businesses to encourage greater investment in solar energy technologies such as solar-power water heaters and electric systems.

The above shows just how connected our Florida legislators are to big oil....

Democrat Alex Sink proposed a similar energy plan last month that called for a "renewable portfolio standard," which would require electric companies to use a certain amount of clean energy to fuel their power plants by a set date.

Last week Republican Bill McCollum unveiled his plan, which calls for letting the free market sort out "expensive" wind and solar energy sources, partnering with private business to develop electric plug-in vehicles and removing regulatory barriers to expedite biofuel production.

His primary rival, Rick Scott, has not detailed his energy ideas. Scott has said he does not believe in climate change. He supports offshore drilling and expanding nuclear power.

 

[Gidget]

Part of what I sent to Marti Coley

In fairness, those of us who invested in solar with the promise of a rebate should receive one. However, any future state rebates should be just enough to make it work out for the max number of new installations. It bothers me to see hasty legislative decisions such as the first rebate program give some people a chance to cash in on a bonanza at $4 per watt or nearly 50% of system cost when we just want to make solar work for the average homeowner. I don't blame the Fl legislature for not voting in another solar rebate at the $4 per watt level. It is too high, and we want a program that can continue and allow sustainable growth. Sadly, Standard Renewable Energy, the company that installed my system, and others have closed their office in Florida and moved off to places like GA, SC and LA where rebates are stimulating solar energy development. A modest rebate that allows investors to reap a 4-5% risk free return similar to those found in good municipal bonds would be appropriate. The PACE program is also an important program that would allow regular homeowners to invest in solar.

It is very satisfying it is to see my meter turn backwards. In fact, I have produced 30% more electricity than I use and sold it back to CHELCO in the last three months. The only problem is I can't convince others to do the same and get the momentum going on this no risk, guaranteed return investment. How about funding a $2 per watt rebate (half the original promised rate) to pay off those who were promised a rebate and put their money up. The same should then be given to all new investors in Florida. It was sad to see the jobs leave the state when our solar contractor closed up shop. Let's get it going again and make a clean energy state that will attract more people to invest in homes and business in NW Florida.

and so on.

And here's a very interesting article from NY Times on the cost of solar vs nuclear = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/business/global/27iht-renuke.html?_r=2&sq=solar%20electricity%20lower%20cost%20nuclear%20historic&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1280584894-CWhCOrsntTC8BKWgX5AXZQ

 

[30ashopper]

Florida owes $52.7 million in unpaid solar energy rebates - St. Petersburg Times

The above shows just how connected our Florida legislators are to big oil....

I'm sorry GW but I fail to see the "big oil" connection here. The rebate program was funded with a capped amount of money. That money was budgeted out back when Crist signed the last big energy bill into law. (Something I applauded.) But the state is broke, and extraneous programs like this currently aren't being funded to balance the budget. We could fund this, but due to our balanced budget amendment it would require a tax increase or a cut in some other area. Where do you propose the money come from? (If you're really angry about this, why aren't we writing letters to Crist compaining? It's was his baby from the start, and he approved all future budgets. ;-))

 

[30ashopper]

And here's a very interesting article from NY Times on the cost of solar vs nuclear = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/business/global/27iht-renuke.html?_r=2&sq=solar%20electricity%20lower%20cost%20nuclear%20historic&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1280584894-CWhCOrsntTC8BKWgX5AXZQ

Ugh. Stuff like this frustrates me. We shouldn't be subsidizing nuclear, and we shouldn't be subsidizing solar. Let the market sort it out. Subsidies distort the market and thwart normal market forces that bring costs down over the long term.

I'd like to know, after eliminating all sibsidies and tax breaks for all involved, which "clean energy" source is cheaper?

 

[Gidget]

I do see where Glenda is coming from. Solar gets the back of the bus and oil and nuclear get passes on up front seats. But if we do subsidize nuclear and oil, which we do, then we SHOULD subsidize solar. Either that, or get rid of ALL subsidies.

I would say solar WOULD be cheaper. Think about everything involved with nuclear. Guards, terrorism, storage, leaks, what to do when the buildings run down - hurricanes, earthquakes, and last but not least human error is expensive as we are seeing with the gulf.

How Much Will New Nuclear Power Plants Cost? - Scitizen

 

[30ashopper]

I do see where Glenda is coming from. Solar gets the back of the bus and oil and nuclear get passes on up front seats. But if we do subsidize nuclear and oil, which we do, then we SHOULD subsidize solar. Either that, or get rid of ALL subsidies.

I would say solar WOULD be cheaper. Think about everything involved with nuclear. Guards, terrorism, storage, leaks, what to do when the buildings run down - hurricanes, earthquakes, and last but not least human error is expensive as we are seeing with the gulf.

How Much Will New Nuclear Power Plants Cost? - Scitizen

I agree with you there, no big subsidies for any energy technology. Especially not big oil, my goodness, why on earth would they need subsidies!

I would like to see a net metering law here in Florida to prevent electric companies from ripping off consumers who invest in solar system. Not sure about Chelco, but Gulf Power doesn't give rebates on excess energy produced after 12 months (last time I looked into it). That's sort of a rip off.

Gidget, did your contractor really shut down? I saved the link, they still have an emerald coast location according to the site I saved:

Florida Panhandle Office | Standard Renewable Energy

 

[Gidget]

Yep they did close down. A real shame!

 

[30ashopper]

Yep they did close down. A real shame!

Have you found another vendor to maintain your system?

 

[Gidget]

They will still send someone to maintain it if needed. They just shut down the local office which is a real shame.

 

[Gidget]

I will add another great article on making my point about nuclear

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/opinion/20herbert.html?_r=1&ref=bobherbert