Lawmakers in Florida have opened opportunities for consumers to recover rebate money from energy saving programs that were discontinued months ago because of insufficient funding for the projects, according to published reports.

Governor Charlie Crist signed legislation passed last week by lawmakers during a special session. They approved allotting $31 million in federal stimulus funds for those who purchased solar power systems or heat and air conditioning systems that were extra-efficient and were expecting large recompense.

"I'll take what I can get and be happy for that much. But I feel like we should get more," Norma Stefanik of Jacksonville's Westside neighborhood told the Florida-Times Union, noting she spent as much as $38,000 on solar panels in 2009.

Floridians should expect the rebates will be markedly less than what the state originally offered for consumers investing in sources of energy that are renewable and alternative. Though the state offered as much as $20,000-worth of rebates, the fund went insolvent and the program dried up.

Not until the new legislators were elected earlier this month was the program reinvigorated when the newly elected planned well in advance to convene and hold a vote on accepting stimulus dollars to replenish the depleted program.