UPDATED Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 2:55 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Solar energy companies owned by a tea party Republican strongly opposed to the 2009 federal stimulus package have received half a million dollars in grants under the programs.

The Associated Press first reported Thursday that GOP candidate Mark Neumann's company Neumann Solar Leasing received about $81,000 in grants last year. But Neumann said Friday that company and another one, MN Solar Leasing, had gotten even more in stimulus grants and other tax credits.

The U.S. Treasury Department confirms that MN Solar Leasing got nearly $418,000 in stimulus grants. Neumann says his companies have gotten about $250,000 in additional tax credits established by President George W. Bush.

Neumann says the incentives have helped his companies invest in Wisconsin projects and create about 50 jobs.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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Posted Thursday, February 2, 2012 --- 2:55 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Neumann strongly disavows the federal stimulus program, but records show his own solar energy company has received more than $80,000 in stimulus grants.

And another renewable energy company he runs signed a letter in November urging congressional leaders to keep the incentives flowing.

The letter is in contradiction to Neumann's campaign stance in staunch opposition to the 2009 stimulus program.

Records show that Neumann Solar Leasing received $81,816 in stimulus money on July 28.

Neumann said Thursday that because the benefit started as a tax credit under President Bush, he doesn't view it as part of the stimulus. President Barack Obama changed it to a grant program under the stimulus.

Neumann says it is better to get the money upfront as a grant.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.