Could the utility war on solar be so catastrophically timed as to spur mass grid defection?
If California utilities had proposed slashing net metering benefits in half and tacking on an $18 monthly connection fee for solar customers three years ago, it might have stifled the growing industry. Instead, the proposal to the California regulators is timed to coincide with the release of the Tesla Powerwall.
The California Public Utilities Commission received dozens of proposals from the state’s publicly-traded utility companies Monday night offering a glimpse into the future of rooftop solar in the state.
State legislation passed in late 2013 tasked the commission with revamping utility regulations regarding residential utility bills and solar tariffs. The legislation dictates that the PUC prioritize continued rooftop solar industry growth while aligning solar costs and benefits.
While you might be able to count 500 megawatts of solar energy generation on residential rooftops in a single small California town, an Alabama utility’s proposal to add that much solar capacity is making big headlines.
Alabama Power proposed to the state’s public utilities commission earlier this month to build or contract to buy 500 megawatts of renewable energy.
Westar Energy in Kansas last week joined a long list of US utility companies that foolishly believe they can stand in front of tidal waves with their hands up like traffic cops to stop the rising threat rooftop solar poses to their business models.
