On September 30, 2009 Governor Bill Ritter held a conference call with U.S. Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, to announce further funding for Colorado's efforts towards cleaner energy. They announced that Colorado would receive $34 million in federal stimulus money for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Of that money, $9.5 million is allocated to expand the Renewable Energy Rebates and Grants Program. It is unknown how that amount will directly alter the rebates that homeowners and business owners receive for installing solar pannels, for now. However, with $9.5 million more being added to that pool, we can't be anything but hopeful and excited.

Much of the money will push Colorado's Climate Action Plan, the goal of which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% against 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Some of the rebates will be awarded to homeowners for home improvements to make their homes more energy efficient. Furthermore, a significant amount will be used for rebates and homeowners and businessowners that use renewable energy technology.

With $9.5 million more being pumped into the rebate fund, we can only assume that the outcome will be beneficial to anyone choosing to go solar. As the government rebates increase, as well as other financial incentives, such as the Energy Partners Program, solar is no longer strictly for the extremely rich or the distant future, it's here and affordable now.

Sources: [www.denverpost.com], [www.9news.com], [http://www.facebook.com/astralux?ref=name#/profile.php?id=659981897&ref=ts]