Rates plans with APS.

[J.P.M.]

You think that is bad? We've have one job where the house was added onto once upon a time, and they added a deck over the top of the SES. Because the utility demands access to the service equipment and because they fear that something like a deck may someday be enclosed, we now have to move the service outside the deck. So we build a wall and relocate the service figuring to just use the old service as a junction box to splice into the old lateral cable. Nope - because the old cable was a direct burial type now they are requiring us to replace it with conduit meaning trench out to the street through solid rock..... "Oh - you want solar? well, we want to put you through hell"

I'm not a complete bureaucrat, but building codes exist for more reasons than to simply give homeowners grief - like safety concerns homeowners are probably clueless about.

On another vein: What is the logic of putting something over a system ? I'd think the homeowner or whoever decided on the addition would know they're responsible for the consequences and results of their decision(s).

I'm mostly a libertarian at heart, but this looks like it just might be another example of mean old government intruding into Bubba's right to screw himself.

[FNG AZ]

You think that is bad? We've have one job where the house was added onto once upon a time, and they added a deck over the top of the SES. Because the utility demands access to the service equipment and because they fear that something like a deck may someday be enclosed, we now have to move the service outside the deck. So we build a wall and relocate the service figuring to just use the old service as a junction box to splice into the old lateral cable. Nope - because the old cable was a direct burial type now they are requiring us to replace it with conduit meaning trench out to the street through solid rock..... "Oh - you want solar? well, we want to put you through hell"

Ouch! soon enough they require the ses to be next to the mail box. That way in the event the meter they don't have to read anymore goes bad the guy never has to get out of his truck to change it!

[solarix]

You think that is bad? We've have one job where the house was added onto once upon a time, and they added a deck over the top of the SES. Because the utility demands access to the service equipment and because they fear that something like a deck may someday be enclosed, we now have to move the service outside the deck. So we build a wall and relocate the service figuring to just use the old service as a junction box to splice into the old lateral cable. Nope - because the old cable was a direct burial type now they are requiring us to replace it with conduit meaning trench out to the street through solid rock..... "Oh - you want solar? well, we want to put you through hell"

[FNG AZ]

Thanks Solarix. I was thinking the same thing.
Aps is definitely dealing with a high work load. I had completed both my customer and installer (self install) application by mid September. December 16th they reviewed my site plan and made me move my production meter and disco. What a pain in the butt.
Dec 4th my system was green tagged, so back to county for a minor permit to move the disco and meter plus 230 feet of #4 from the current location up to my ses.
Jan 6th green tag #2 and Aps called me at 9 am the 11th said they could do an inspection that day at 1130 or it would be another week before they could come out. APS inspector is a great guy and way overloaded. At this time he is the only one!!! So as of now I am on the grid but waiting for the bi directional meter and swap out my test meter. No credits for kWh sent back until they do!

So a heads up to everyone. Do not put your meter or utility disco behind any gates. The rules changed in March of 2015 and the green team was advising this was allowable as long as the gate had a aps lock and a place card at the ses.

[solarix]

If you are generating less than about 90% of your usage, it is usually best to stay on the time-of-use plan. Even though the monthly service fee is higher, your on-peak charges are low because it is almost all offset by solar production and the usage deficit is on the off-peak low rates.
How long did it take APS to get you interconnected? They've been stalling like crazy in our area.

[FNG AZ]

Finally on the grid and have the 12-7 tou plan with the epr-6 option. Anyone have any experience experimenting with different plans?
My current usage is 24000 kWh per year. Solar should produce about 17000 kWh. 9.3kw dc/ 7.7ac