BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- A state fund to encourage the use of solar power is now empty. So many people were interested in the rebate, fewer than half of those who applied, actually received it.

Thousands of families have installed solar panels on their homes, thinking they would be eligible to get a third of their investment back from the state.

Harry Jacobs keeps a close eye on his tabletop meter. It tells him exactly how much electricity is being generated by the solar panels on his roof. On most days, he creates more electricity than he uses.

"Right now, the electric meter is running backwards," he said.

Jacobs spent $60,000 of his savings, figuring it would be a wise investment.

"The Florida rebate figured into that quite heavily, in fact a third of the cost," said Jacobs.

Jacobs expected to get back $20,000 from the state. But because of the popularity of the rebates, the $5-million pool of money the state legislature set aside has run dry. The Florida Energy Commission is counting on the legislature to ante up again. So is Jacobs.

"I'm an old retired army sergeant and $20,000 is a large chunk of change," he said.

Jacobs is seeing some benefits. His electric bill amounts to six dollars a month for his meter. And he's expecting to get back money from his power company for all the electricity he's generating.