Another Massive Fail for FPL as Rebate Application Computers Freeze

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UPDATE: Our industry trade group, FlaSEIA, has set up a RATE PAYER FAIRNESS Hot Line. If you were negatively impacted by this failure, it is imperative that you call (407) 339-2010.

Here we go again. Last week FPL had to acknowledge that it opened the final round of the popular residential solar rebate program early. This week, after FPL announced that it would restart the application process with $4M in funding, widespread reports of computers freezing are rolling in. It appears that FPL’s computers could not handle the load, and I’m still waiting to hear that a single applicant successfully submitted a rebate.

I got to the very last step, but when I clicked “I Agree – Please Proceed,” nothing happened. Those that tried to start the process over could not even get into the application again.

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Comments

  1. Author

    UPDATE: At 9:05, the rebate site suddenly reopened, listing about $1.2M remaining in funding. Many started applying again, only to be met with the same frozen web forms. Frustration is boiling over.

  2. Author

    UPDATE: And sure enough, a rebate application that we did not even start until 9:05 am was successfully submitted, yet an application where I reached the last submit button at 8:31 am was not accepted. This is totally unfair. Our customers have a strong case against FPL for failing to provide a fair process through which to apply.

  3. Author

    I would like to thank FlaSEIA (Florida Solar Energy Industry Association) for advocating on our behalf. We haven’t heard the last word on this, I am sure.

    I was also contacted by members of the media who are taking interest in this story. We must get this resolved fairly.

  4. I personally tried to apply. I got to the third step, but was not able to get to the fourth step or even the submittal stage. And I filled in the information fast. Really fast.

    I also heard from a group of about 10 applicants that nobody was able to successfully apply.

    Who do these continued errors benefit? Not regular home owners! Not the small companies or installers. Only those who have the resources to pay others to sit in front of a computer and apply for them, or in other words, the big companies.

    So in the end, an incentive program that was created to promote the adoption of solar energy by appealing to the masses will only benefit a small group of corporations that are able to succeed where the average person cannot.

    1. Author

      Giacomo: Our industry trade group, FlaSEIA, has set up a RATE PAYER FAIRNESS Hot Line. If you were negatively impacted by this failure, it is imperative that you call (407) 339-2010.

  5. Had my Application filled out and submitted in 30 seconds. Honestly I feel for those other homeowners which tried and failed to submit their applications. Unfortunately there are so many people being hired to submit on behalf of the actual owners that the deck is stacked against the average person submitting for themselves.

  6. Author

    UPDATE: Our industry trade group, FlaSEIA, has set up a RATE PAYER FAIRNESS Hot Line. If you were negatively impacted by this failure, it is imperative that you call (407) 339-2010.

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