A new fee on solar electricity is being proposed by Appalachian Power Company. Solar advocates in Blacksburg hope to persuade regulators that adding additional costs will hamper the push toward renewable energy, which is part of a state mandate.
Utilities all over the country, as well as Virginia are adding what they call “stand by” charges for some their customers who use solar panels to create their own energy. Appalachian Power Spokesman John Shepelwich says its part of the cost of doing business. Utilities still must provide electricity to houses that are not ‘off the grid entirely, whenever there is a shortage of solar.
"It’s not a penalty; it’s a cost of supplying the energy when they need it. You know, we certainly support customers’ use of solar and other renewables in addition or as an alternative to our generation."
But solar advocates say the proposed stand by charges for residential arrays of 10-thousand Kilowatts or more will have a chilling effect on a new solar industry, which is growing in Virginia. Hannah Weigert is Campaign coordinator for Appalachian voices. One of the group’s main goals is to see more renewable energy in Virginia.
"I see that trends are changing all over the country and in Virginia, in fact in the part of Virginia that Appalachian Power serves, local solar initiatives have sprung up. The birthplace of Virginia’s solarize movement is Blacksburg and this is where customers opt in to programs to purchase solar with great discounts. I see that as an indicator of where folks are in a free market without a charge like this and I would hate to see a charge like this reverse that."
The deadline for submitting comments on Appalachian Power's application to add the solar charge is September 9, 2014, and a public hearing will is set for September 16 in Richmond.
