By Mark Del Franco | Solar Industry
Last week, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved an Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) request for a charge on future rooftop solar panel installations connected to the grid under the state’s net energy metering (NEM) program.
A $0.70/kW charge will take effect Jan. 1 and is estimated to collect $4.90/month from a typical future rooftop solar customer.
The ACC’s ruling ends months of public debate in the state over NEM. At issue is a question of fairness.
APS asserts that it is within its rights to apply a surcharge to NEM customers and as a public provider, it is obligated to provide electric capacity and distribution resources to all customers in its footprint regardless of how much residential solar is involved.
