By Rachel Leingang | Arizona Capitol Times
Arizona Public Service will move forward with its proposal to more than quadruple the monthly fee charged to homeowners with solar panels now instead of waiting until next year when regulators will evaluate the company’s entire rate structure.
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted 3-2 to allow the utility to discuss the fee in the coming months. Chairman Susan Bitter Smith and Commissioner Bob Burns both voted against the plan to move forward now.
APS is asking the commission to increase the monthly fee it charges solar customers to an average of $21, up from $5, which the commission approved in 2013. APS contends that solar customers don’t pay for their fair share of the electric grid and shift costs to non-solar customers. The utility estimates rooftop solar customers shift $67 each month to non-solar customers.
