Homeowners waiting to be reinbursed by the state for Florida Solar Rebate Program

Homeowners throughout Florida may have to pay full price for solar panels they bought through the Florida Solar Rebate Program. Last year the state provided $14.4 million in rebates and has received more than 10,000 applications since the money ran out.

Families have taken out short-term loans, some reaching $35,000, for their solar panel systems counting on the rebate program to pay it off. If the state doesn't come up with more funding this will impact the future of many Florida families.

Part of the problem is misleading advertising from companies selling solar systems, said Steve Kaufman, director of renewable energy services at Kaufman Lynn general contractors in Boca Raton.

"These guys are putting ads in there telling people to hurry up and install your system now so you can get these rebates," Kaufman said. "I was telling my wife, 'Look at these jokers out there.'"

Ted Verdone, a retired mechanical engineer who spent $42,000 to install solar panels and solar water heating for his pool and home in Oakland Park, said he thinks the state is to blame. He said his contractors, Odessa-based LeverEdge and Jupiter-based Abundant Energy, have provided more information than the state.

"You can't promise people something and not come through. I would think they would at least give some sort of communication telling people what's going on, when we can expect the money," Verdone said. Since installing the system, his monthly electric bill has decreased by about $50 to about $100 but he says he still would not have installed it if he knew the rebates were not going to come through.