Clean Energy Program: Something Stinking at the B-PU. The State Is Not Mailing Out Rebate Checks

The State of NJ continues to write the book on mismanagement - this time its the rebate checks that are just not making it to the mailboxes; unfortunately no-one can explain why, but the likely truth, is that anyone appointed by Fox is incapable of putting a check in the mail...

The State of New Jersey has been recognized as a leader in promoting solar power, thanks in large measure to a generous rebate program that's run by the Board of Public Utilities Office of Clean Energy, unfortunately there's a serious problem that threatens the whole program.

It seems rebate checks are not being mailed out in a timely manner, and that's causing a domino effect of negativity for individual homeowners as well as solar installation companies.

Shannon Whitworth, the Director of Operations for The Solar Center in Denville says her company, like many others, is stuck in limbo - unable to begin any new projects for customers "because we've hit our credit limit with our distributors- because the State has not paid rebates for customers previously installed in the past."

She says the State owes her firm more than 1-point-3 million dollars, but to this point, no one can figure out why the checks aren't in the mail.

"We meet with them on a regular basis…we tell them how stressed the industry is- but we're not getting a lot of response…we just don't get any straightforward answers….we're facing potentially laying off half of our staff, because we cannot sustain without the rebates payments coming quickly."

Whitworth adds many solar installation companies have gone out of business because of the financial problems caused in part by the BPU's handling of the rebate program, "but no one can explain why."

She says this is causing another problem - homeowners who have been approved for rebates can't find a company to do the work within the specified time before their rebates expire.

A spokeswoman for the BPU says - in an e-mail message- the difficulty was caused by a change-over to a new online billing system which created a backlog, but the problem has now been resolved. (after $650,000 and a year later - the system does not work.. yeah right)

She says "The Clean Energy Program apologizes to our valued customers for this delay, and thanks them for their patience."

She adds the Office of Clean Energy is going to recommend that rebate deadlines be extended 90 days, so customers can be assured they can install their desired solar system - and get their rebate - without a problem.