Progress Energy Wants to Cut Solar Rebates

Progress Energy Carolinas wants to cut its rebates for customers who install solar panels at their homes. Right now, Progress gives rebates of one dollar per watt, up to a maximum amount of ten thousand dollars. But the company plans to cut those rebates in half. Jeff Brooks is a spokesman for Progress Energy Carolinas.

"That reflects the changing prices that we've seen in the cost to install solar. we've seen a lot of declines in the cost of solar. that's a good thing, that reflects that solar has expanded into the industry and the economies of scale have grown and so we feel that if these installations don't need quite the incentive."

Some solar companies worry the proposed change would deter a segment of customers from installing panels. The utilities commission has not yet approved the filing.