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Twelve thousand Floridians have been waiting more than two years for a solar rebate promised by the state. Thousands of others may have been disqualified on a technicality. When the rebates finally begin flowing in a few weeks, they will be far smaller than originally promised.

Bob Lauther installed solar on three commercial buildings in June 2009….He was promised a rebate and he is still waiting. Lauther took the step because the rebates made it affordable and to as he put it “You know, I do want to do something for the environment.”

Lauther is one of 12 thousand Floridians have submitted solar rebate applications.  Lawmakers put 22 million into rebates almost a year ago . Then this spring they moved the program from one agency to another. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam now has jurisdiction. earlier this week he described how difficult the transition has been>

“First and foremost, we are focused on getting are arms around what we inherited. And what we inherited is a big mess,” says Putnam.

The program has been a bureaucratic nightmare. No one will get everything they were promised. The state is denying some applications based on some things not in the original application, and that’s going to lead those being disqualified into court.

Floridians for Energy Independence calls the delay a bait and switch Spokesman Al Simpler, himself a solar contractor says the lack of incentives is costing Florida jobs as contractors move to other nearby states. “and their business is growing. They are finding new applications for solar. they are bringing in new businesses,” says Simpler.

Homeowners were originally promised rebates of up to twenty thousand, and  businesses, one hundred thousand dollars All will be lucky to get just pennies on the dollar.

The first checks for solar rebates in more than three years should begin flowing in two or three weeks. Once the money is gone, Florida will officially be out of the solar rebate business.