By: Reagan Hackleman
Austin Energy has suspended the rebate program for nonprofits and businesses. You could say Austin Energy's solar rebate program has become a victim of its own success.
"We've limited the size of the total rebate to $15,000, down from the previous authorization of $50,000," Karl Rabago with Austin Energy said.
Effective immediately, Austin Energy has suspended the rebate program for nonprofits and businesses. Homeowners are out of luck until at least Nov. 1st.
"They will still have an opportunity to reapply in November, under the new guidelines. And, if it still works for them, and they can afford the additional investment they're going to be required to make, then they'll have a chance to get some solar rebate for next year," Rabago said.
News 8's Reagan Hackleman explains what Austin Energy is doing to try to keep the program going.
So far $3.3 million worth of the rebates have already been approved. But, that doesn't leave much left, as the total rebate budget for 2010 is $4 million.
"Solar is providing great benefits for the city, so we need to reward people for investing in it," Luke Metzger, with Environment Texas, said.
Metzger agrees with Austin Energy about lowering the rebate amount, but said Austin Energy must find more money to keep the rebates going.
"They're going to have to turn away hundreds of Austinites who want to go solar, are ready to invest thousands of their own dollars into this infrastructure that will benefit the whole city," Metzger said.
The city said it plans on finding the funds.
"We're going to look for money everywhere we can," Rabago said.
