Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program

The Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program, or the solar rebate program, was created in 2006 by the Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act. The program was designed to encourage residents and businesses to invest in solar energy technologies by providing rebates for purchase and installation of solar energy systems in homes and businesses.

377.806, F.S., the statute governing the Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program can be found here: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=377.806&URL=0300-0399/0377/Sections/0377.806.html

27N-1, F.A.C., the rule relating to the Solar Energy Systems Incentives Programs can be found at the Florida Administrative Weekly: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=27N-1.500

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services administering this program?
   As a result of the 2011 Legislative session, the responsibilities of the State Energy Office were transferred from the Office of the Governor to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). As of July 1, 2011, the state's Office of Energy is now housed within DACS.
2. Is there any money available to pay my rebate?
   Yes. The original funding for the Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program was quickly depleted by June 2009 due to the overwhelming number of applications that were received. However, in 2010, the Florida Legislature provided additional funding to the program to ensure that all eligible applicants were rewarded for their investments in solar energy systems. No new applications are being accepted.  This rebate program is closed.
3. If the additional money was provided by the Legislature in 2010, why haven’t I received my rebate yet?
   The Legislature directed additional funding for the program to be divided among the eligible applicants. Therefore, it is necessary that the Office of Energy process all applications received under the program before the rebates can be calculated and issued. We have been working as quickly as possible to get through the backlog of applications that were not yet processed as of July 1, 2011, when DACS received the responsibilities of the State Energy Office.
4. When can I expect to receive my rebate?
   The Department has completed its review of the solar rebate applications. Checks were mailed to all eligible applicants on October 7, 2011. If you have not received your rebate check, you may call one of our Rebate Specialists who will be happy to assist you. Our phone lines are open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
5. How will my rebate be calculated?
   As directed by the Florida Legislature in 2010 House Bill 15A, the amount of your rebate will be a percentage calculated by dividing the total amount of available funds by the total dollar value of the approved rebate applications. Based on the total appropriation and the approximately 8,800 approved rebate applications, each consumer will received approximately 52 percent of their requested rebate amount.
6. Where can I find the law that determines how my rebate is to be calculated?
   Section 2 of 2010 House Bill 15A, passed in November 2010, by the Florida Legislature can be accessed http://laws.flrules.org/2010/282.
   
   The specific language of HB 15A that directs how the rebates will be paid is as follows:
   Notwithstanding s. 377.806(6), Florida Statutes, the Florida Energy and Climate Commission shall utilize up to $28,902,623, less any amount in excess of $2,467,244 used to pay rebates pursuant to section 1, to pay a percentage of each unpaid and approved rebate application submitted pursuant to the Solar Energy System Incentives Program established in s. 377.806, Florida Statutes. An applicant is eligible for a rebate under this section if the application submitted complies with s. 377.806, Florida Statutes. The percentage of each approved rebate to be paid shall be derived by dividing the remaining appropriation by the total dollar value of the backlog of final approved solar rebates, pursuant to the authorized limits provided in s. 377.806, Florida Statutes. (emphasis added).
7. My rebate check said that “All vendors must submit a new electronic Form W-9 prior to 11/1/2011 to continue received payments from the state.”  What does this mean?
   The W-9 message on the checks is intended for individuals and companies doing business with the state and does not apply to solar rebate recipients.  Solar rebate recipients should disregard this message.
8. Will I receive the balance (the other 48%) of my rebate amount?
   The Department has allocated all funds designated by the 2010 Legislature to eligible solar rebate applicants.  The Department is not aware of any future funding for this program to distribute additional payments.
9. How do I find out the status of my rebate?
   You may contact the Office of Energy via phone at (850) 487-3800. Our phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. You may also send an email to Energy@FreshFromFlorida.com, where one of our Rebate Specialists will be able to assist you.