By Kyle O’Donnell | Cronkite News
The Arizona Corporation Commission on Thursday narrowly approved a charge averaging $4.50 a month for APS customers installing new solar systems, resolving a contentious case over the future of net metering.
APS asked the commission to have solar users pay for access to the grid into which they feed excess electricity and in return receive credit against their bills.
The utility sought a higher amount and opposed the final agreement, a joint proposal from the state’s advocate for residential ratepayers and an industry group composed of several rooftop solar companies. That monthly charge, based on a solar system’s capacity, will be 70 cents per kilowatt starting in 2014.
Corporation Commission Chairman Bob Stump, who joined Bob Burns and Susan Bitter Smith voting in favor, said the decision balances the needs of all ratepayers and the future of solar power.
