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Arizona Solar Center Blog

Commentary from Arizona Solar Center Board Members and invited contributors.

While blog entries are initiated by the Solar Center, we welcome dialogue around the posted topics. Your expertise and perspective are highly valued -- so if you haven't logged in and contributed, please do so!

The Rising Sun

The popular viewpoint that solar energy is an expensive form of electricity is dwindling, undone by significant cost reductions in recent years. And although the industry itself remains in its infancy, costs have dropped so dramatically that cost parity has been achieved in certain areas.

Recent Comments
Paul Scrivens
As far as I can tell the only real viable residential storage system is batteries. These batteries are expensive and only last a ... Read More
Sunday, 22 December 2013 09:01
Jim Stack
Lithium battery storage lasts much longer, takes less space and is non toxic compared to LEAD. Lead was listed in Popular Science ... Read More
Sunday, 22 December 2013 10:28
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8753 Hits

A New Era for Solar Power

Five years ago Forbes magazine proclaimed that “a new era for solar power is approaching.”

It isn’t the first time that the promise of solar has been touted as ushering in a new era in energy.

Recent Comments
Lane Garrett
Unstoppable changes are starting to take place. Smart metering, more continuous rates with frequent rate changes (as often as eve... Read More
Monday, 16 December 2013 10:56
Ron Lehr
A recent paper posted on the "America's Power Plan" website discusses what motivations utilities might have to consider new busine... Read More
Monday, 06 January 2014 14:08
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8068 Hits

The Decision

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) decision on November 14 to impose a monthly fee on future rooftop solar homeowners left many observers wondering whether it was:

Recent Comments
Jay Leopold
Did anyone else notice the "ready-shoot-aim" process at the ACC on Thursday. Out of the blue came the 70¢ idea and all of the sudd... Read More
Sunday, 17 November 2013 08:08
James Pitre
In my opinion it is a short term win for the proponents of distributed renewable energy, however the principle of a fee to connect... Read More
Sunday, 17 November 2013 08:39
Jeff Hodgkinson
I was at the ACC hearing on Wednesday and believe I was the 6th person to speak and the first ‘homeowner’ vs. a state representati... Read More
Sunday, 17 November 2013 10:27
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Fair is Fair

The net metering issue before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is being framed as an issue of “fairness.” This policy, adopted in 2008 by the ACC as part of the state’s Renewable Energy Standard, was devised to encourage Arizonans to spend large amounts of money out-of-pocket to inject clean electrons into our electrical system – benefitting the grid, the economy, our air, our health. 

Recent Comments
Jim Stack
This article gives three examples of fairness that are right on the point. If they want fairness then everyone should have to get ... Read More
Sunday, 10 November 2013 07:37
James Pitre
The whole idea that the argument by APS has to do with fairness is a sham and excuse to grab control of their market back APS con... Read More
Sunday, 10 November 2013 07:46
Raymond Joseph Alfini PE
Thank you for a common sense approach. Helping my neighbors avoid using coal or nuke power from the grid was one reason I added PV... Read More
Sunday, 10 November 2013 09:18
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We Are Solar

For several months Arizona media outlets have repeated a certain inaccurate "statement of fact" about solar homeowners so many times that most people by now believe it to be true. Anti-solar TV ads from out-of-state non-profit organizations have made the same claim: Arizona solar customers are primarily wealthy and live in affluent neighborhoods.

Recent Comments
Raymond Joseph Alfini PE
Using APS logic to charge clients extra if they use solar power would mean I would be charged extra because I use salvaged solar w... Read More
Sunday, 03 November 2013 10:36
Jim Stack
So let's remove the subsidies to COAL, NG , Nuclear and water and see who APS can find to bill for it.
Sunday, 03 November 2013 12:58
Ruth Nofchissey
This has been the case for decades, Jim. Remember that Palo Verde was constructed because the Corporation Commission guaranteed r... Read More
Friday, 08 November 2013 16:54
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9325 Hits