Solar rebate programs through Austin Energy will have extra appropriations in the 2012–13 fiscal year thanks to a budget amendment approved 7–0 by the Austin City Council.

Councilwoman Laura Morrison presented an amendment Sept. 10 to increase appropriations in Austin Energy's 2012–13 budget by $3.5 million to the utility's solar rebate programs. Previous allocations for solar rebates were about $4 million.

"I'd like to find some middle ground here," Morrison said, proposing to increase total funding to about $7.5 million.