Talk about trying to kill the industry. If this starts to be common, won't homeowners look more and more at going off grid? Instead of paying $50+ per month in addition to whatever the bill as before, I'd rather use that money toward a long term, low interest loan on batteries.
SRP passes new solar rate structure; solar groups threaten lawsuit
Following an extensive three-month public process, Salt River Project's board of directors Thursday approved a general rate hike as well as controversial changes to the utility's solar rate structure.
For all SRP customers, the board approved a 3.3 percent hike for one year starting this April. Then another 3.9 percent increase will take effect beginning April 2016.
Beginning with the April 2015 billing cycle, the monthly bill for a typical residential customer will increase by about $3.85 until April 2016, when that figure will then average $4.60.
The board also approved a new price plan for residential customers who, after Dec. 8, 2014, add rooftop solar systems.
Management had proposed that existing solar customers be "grandfathered" from moving to the new price plan for a period of 10 years, but the board extended that by up to 20 years for SRP customers who installed rooftop solar units to run from the time the system was installed. The Board also voted to allow unlimited transfer of the grandfathering with the sale of the home for all rooftop solar customers. during that 20-year period.
The new self-generation price plan includes increased charges to better recover fixed costs related to the solar customer's service facilities and their use of the grid, but also reduces the price the customer pays per kilowatt hour for energy.
SRP District 7 board member Keith Woods said that the approved increases were a "splitting of the baby" between the proposal from SRP management and the objections of solar industry representatives.
"It was a difficult decision," said Woods. "We have discussed this for months and there has been significant public comment. We believe this is a fair decision."
The measure to approve the grandfathering provisions protecting leased and owned solar facility contracts passed 12-2. The overall rate structure passed 11-3. The SRP board president only votes in case of ties.
Solar industry representatives threatened litigation if the new rates passed.
Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP was retained to handle legal matters. The firm does not have a Phoenix office, but they have an office in the Bay Area, which is home to Solar City, one of the more vocal opponents of the rate hike.
Following an extensive three-month public process, Salt River Project's board of directors Thursday approved a general rate hike as well as controversial changes to the utility's solar rate structure.
For all SRP customers, the board approved a 3.3 percent hike for one year starting this April. Then another 3.9 percent increase will take effect beginning April 2016.
Beginning with the April 2015 billing cycle, the monthly bill for a typical residential customer will increase by about $3.85 until April 2016, when that figure will then average $4.60.
The board also approved a new price plan for residential customers who, after Dec. 8, 2014, add rooftop solar systems.
Management had proposed that existing solar customers be "grandfathered" from moving to the new price plan for a period of 10 years, but the board extended that by up to 20 years for SRP customers who installed rooftop solar units to run from the time the system was installed. The Board also voted to allow unlimited transfer of the grandfathering with the sale of the home for all rooftop solar customers. during that 20-year period.
The new self-generation price plan includes increased charges to better recover fixed costs related to the solar customer's service facilities and their use of the grid, but also reduces the price the customer pays per kilowatt hour for energy.
SRP District 7 board member Keith Woods said that the approved increases were a "splitting of the baby" between the proposal from SRP management and the objections of solar industry representatives.
"It was a difficult decision," said Woods. "We have discussed this for months and there has been significant public comment. We believe this is a fair decision."
The measure to approve the grandfathering provisions protecting leased and owned solar facility contracts passed 12-2. The overall rate structure passed 11-3. The SRP board president only votes in case of ties.
Solar industry representatives threatened litigation if the new rates passed.
Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP was retained to handle legal matters. The firm does not have a Phoenix office, but they have an office in the Bay Area, which is home to Solar City, one of the more vocal opponents of the rate hike.
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