By Lane Garrett | The Arizona Republic
I am proud that our schools in Scottsdale are leading the way when it comes to solar energy. Last year, The Arizona Republic reported that the Scottsdale Unified School District saved $300,000 because of solar power.
Rooftop photovoltaic panels offset energy costs, and any excess power is sent back to the grid. I am worried that those days may be coming to an end.
Arizona Public Service is trying to monopolize solar energy in Arizona. It is trying to convince the Arizona Corporation Commission to end net metering. Basically, APS does not want to pay fair-market credit when school districts and homeowners with photovoltaic panels send excess electricity back to the grid. We have to buy it from them, but they don’t want to buy it from us.
I am a conservative and the CEO of a Scottsdale solar-energy company. I believe in free markets and competition. I believe our governments and schools should do all they can to save money. And I believe when a utility monopoly is trying to get something for nothing in order to put competitors out of business, that’s wrong.
