Down in the Sunshine State, Governor Charlie Crist plans to hold a special session of the state legislature to address the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to oil, he wants to focus on renewable energy policies, especially those that do not raise electricity rates or energy costs—including measures such as solar rebates and solar incentives.

That means programs like the Florida Solar Rebate Program could be revived--ironically thanks to the oil spill. The legislature did not approve funding this year for the program, which provides rebates to people who install solar systems in their homes or businesses. The program recently ran out of money and Crist seems open to putting more funds into solar rebates.

If you’re in the market for a Florida solar panel installation, you should keep your eye on this issue. The Florida Solar Rebate program apparently owes rebates to some 8,000 Florida homeowners.

According to the OrlandoSentinel.com, the program ends June 30, but the site quoted a spokeswoman for the Governor's Energy Office, who said the state "will continue to accept and process applications" until then and place them on a waiting list "in the event there are funding opportunities in the future.”

In the meantime, you can get your solar refund application ready. Start by signing up for a free solar estimate by one of our local certified solar installers, who can ascertain what will work best for your site. The solar installer will also keep you informed about the Florida state rebates.

Note: The federal energy tax credit of 30 percent still applies! So you can still move forward—at a discount—with a Florida solar panel installation or Florida solar thermal (hot water) installation.

Florida is a natural for solar energy, thanks to its abundant sunshine. Did you know that Florida was No. 3 in the nation for solar capacity installed in 2009? Get your energy from the sun. If you combine solar power with an electric or hybrid car, you won’t be affected as much by the next big Gulf oil spill.