On Tuesday December 15th California CPUC proposed a future net metering regime will preserving retail payments for residential rooftop PV.
Tuesday’s proposed decision, however, specifically declines to impose any demand charges, grid access charges, installed capacity fees, standby fees, or similar fixed charges on solar power residential customers. while the commission continues to evaluate the need for them. That’s a big victory for the solar industry, which has fought hard for keeping the retail rate.
Utilities reacted negatively to the CPUC proposal, which is open for public comments until Jan. 7, and could be voted on by the full commission as early as Jan. 28, 2016.
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M156/K443/156443378.PDF
Arizona
The state of Arizona approved a monthly fee on rooftop solar customers in 2013. In doing so became one of the first states to challenge net metering. This fee reduces the savings which result from customer’s investing in clean energy technology.
A clean energy watchdog group, “Checks and Balances” has began a systematic inquiry into the Arizona Corporate Commission (the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Arizona). They are seeking to expose bias against the solar industry. The group launched an extensive investigation into Commissioner’s Bob Stump’s phone records, alleging his involvement in “dark money electoral schemes” and inappropriate ties with Arizona Public Service (APS), the largest utility in the state. A judge is currently reviewing thousands of text messages retrieved from Bob Stump’s cell phone.
In addition, a conflict-of-interest lawsuit has led to the resignation of Susan Bitter Smith, chairwoman of the Arizona Corporate Commission.
SolarCity disclosed earlier this month that it is a financial backer of the Checks and Balances Project.
Nevada
Sunrun is currently suing Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval for failing to comply with a public-records request showing communication between his office, utility regulators and NV Energy. The solar company claims that Sandoval’s close ties with the utility industry led to the recent repeal of retail-rate net metering in the state.
The Politics of Net-Metering
With over 190 countries uniting together at COP21 Paris to address climate change, the extension of the Investment Tax Credit, the presidential election in full swing, and over 40 states considering “net metering” policy changes, the politics of utility regulation should drive SCTY price action. The position of California’s CPUC looks to be squarely in favor of solar power and distributed generation. My hope is that it raises the bar for the rest of the country to follow.
