ALEC, a powerful lobbying group, wants solar panel system users to pay more for the privilege of having solar power, and is seeking to block clean energy bills that encourage the use of renewable energy sources. The pending legislation sponsored by the group is something to watch for current solar panel owners.
The proposed legislation would, at the very least, reduce the amount that solar panel owners are paid by energy companies for the excess power the panels feed into the grid. Some would like this payment to cease completely, allowing utility companies to charge homeowners who use solar power. At least one lawmaker believes that solar panel users should be charged a distribution fee for providing power to other homes in the area.
This concept is not a new one, though implementing it on a national level has not yet been successful. Recently, Arizona granted the right to power companies to charge solar panel owners a fee for their home energy. While the fee is only about $5, the local utility companies originally wanted a fee of nearly $50, putting the charge in line with what traditional energy customers spend during low energy usage periods.
The move to charge customers using alternative energy sources with a solar power system isn’t surprising. Solar power is cheaper and more eco-friendly than traditional power sources, and many want to see the price brought more in line with what other customers pay to keep the power industry competitive. There is no word yet whether the ALEC legislation will be passed by Congress.