Not to be outdone by the smaller utilities, SRP and TEP, APS has applied for an additional fee on solar customers. This actually surprises me in several ways. First, it's far lower than I expected. I was thinking more around the $40-$50 that SRP got. Second, a fee based on system size is not as tied to one's use of the grid as say a demand charge would be. Third, it looks like APS customers will have a choice of either the fee or going on a demand rate. Finally, the cynic in me feels that a straight fee based on system size is far too transparent an additional cost: a demand charge makes it easier to obfuscate the true cost to solar customers and I'm sure that was motivating SRP in its decision. It's what I would have done had I been in APS' shoes.
In any event, the article suggests that this is just a stopgap measure until a full rate case is taken up next year. Presumably, we will get a full accounting of the costs and benefits of rooftop solar at that time. Apparently, any rate changes won't take effect until 2017, at which point I expect to have fully paid off the upfront cost on my prepaid lease.
In any event, the article suggests that this is just a stopgap measure until a full rate case is taken up next year. Presumably, we will get a full accounting of the costs and benefits of rooftop solar at that time. Apparently, any rate changes won't take effect until 2017, at which point I expect to have fully paid off the upfront cost on my prepaid lease.
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