The number of solar installations in Maricopa has dropped significantly since the city’s electrical utility put a monthly limit into effect last year.
So far for 2016, 13 applications for solar installations have been approved, according to the city. That’s a steep decline from the 332 applications received at this point a year ago. It is also far below the allowable limit.
There were 829 applications granted in all of 2015, and 346 in 2014.
Electrical District No. 3, the utility that serves Maricopa, limited the number of solar installations it would approve last year to 30 each month. The limit, effective July 1, 2015, was put into place because ED3 did not want to be “overwhelmed” by the amount of solar on its system, said Bill Stacy, general manager for the utility.
