More than 1,000 Arizona Public Service Co. customers have said they are interested in participating in the company’s free solar program proposed last month, but the plan is facing critics and questions that could delay its launch.
Ryan Randazzo, The Arizona Republic reporter, says that even though APS has the support of one Arizona solar trade group, a group of out-of-state solar leasing companies have asked regulators to dismiss the proposal. One regulator asked a series of detailed questions about the proposal, and the state consumer advocate suggested taking more time to answer questions.
Those signs all point to a longer process than APS hoped for when it requested an expedited review of the program so it could begin giving customers free solar panels next year.
Comments by Rose Law Group Senior Partner Court Rich: “The APS proposal is far from free. In fact, the proposal will cost rate payers substantially more than solar that is currently being installed by homeowners who are either buying or financing solar on their own. APS has proposed an expensive and poorly reasoned expansion of its state-sponsored monopoly and has asked for a rush job from its regulators to avoid proper scrutiny.
“APS’ barely three-page proposal looks like it was written by a public relations firm and not an electric utility. They have provided not one shred of detail for how this program will work.”
