By Ron Bedard, resident, Sun City Festival in Buckeye.
A tree that gives shade to your home can help reduce your electricity bill. So can solar roof panels. So can, for that matter, unplugging your TV.
APS is encouraging its customers to take advantage of the first option: The utility’s tree shade program offers Maricopa County customers the option of having APS come and plant a tree in your yard for free, with the goal of maximizing home energy savings. “You’ll block the sun’s rays, reduce cooling needs, and add value to your property,” reads the APS website.
The tree’s shade, APS suggests, will allow you to save money by reducing your consumption of APS electricity. This is precisely what solar rooftop panels accomplish.
So, why is APS promoting one while utterly demonizing the other? It’s a serious question, because one of Arizona’s most impressive industries, the nation’s third largest residential solar market, hangs in the balance.
