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Hundreds of Floridians who were promised reimbursements through the state’s solar rebate program will have to wait longer. The state owes seven million dollars to people who installed solar panels on their homes and businesses. As Whitney Ray tells us, a lack of funds and a backlog of rebate applications are slowing down the process.

Bill Minion installed 50-thousand solar panels on his home a year ago. The solar panels knock a hundred bucks a month off Bill’s electricity cost. He also received a 20-thousand dollar rebate from the state, although he waited months for the reimbursement.

“I think it is very important if the state is going to come out and give us a commitment to pay that rebate that they need to pay it quick,” said Bill

The state still owes seven million dollars to Floridians who’ve invested in solar, and the program shows no sign of slowing. There is a million dollars in rebate requests coming into the energy office every month.

Jeremy Susac is the director of the Governor’s Energy Office. Susac says rebate checks will begin going out in early August.

“We have five million dollars to begin rebates for the 7.2 million dollar back log. We are awaiting federal approval for the next 9.4 million dollars,” said Susac.

News of the delayed rebate checks hasn’t stopped the demand for solar. Al Simpler sells solar panels and business has never been better.

“Once people started calling the governor’s energy office and they said yeah we are going to have some money, then the flood gates opened,” said Al.

And for those hundreds of people who are now depending on nature for their electricity, they’ve found the sun more reliable than the state. The federal government has until October 22nd to approve the state’s request for the extra 9.4 million dollars to use for reimbursements.