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. And when the rebates 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. “You know, I do want to do something for the environment.”

Lauther is one of 12 thousand Floridians who 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.

Adam Putnam is the state’s Agriculture Commissioner. “First and foremost, we are focused on getting are arms around what we inherited. And what we inherited is a big mess.”

The program has been a bureaucratic nightmare. Putnam says no one will get everything they were promised. “The percentage can’t be assessed until we’ve done the absolute final lock down on this is the universe of people.”

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. They say the lack of incentives is costing Florida jobs as contractors move to other nearby states. Al Simpler is a Solar Contractor. “And their business is growing. They are finding new applications for solar. They are bringing in new businesses.”

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.