In Baldwin County, Alabama, adding solar to your roof raises the cost of your utility bill. Photo courtesy of Jodybwiki

Solar Citizen: Building the renewable energy movement from the ground up!

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Solar Rights and Net Metering

Saving money can be straightforward sometimes:

• You build a fire in your wood stove and reduce your heating bill.
• You grow your own tomatoes and save on your grocery bill.
• You produce your own solar electricity and save on your utility bill.

“The fact that they are punishing us for producing our own power is ridiculous. It’s un-American.”
– Jeff Max, Baldwin County Resident

Unfortunately, not all utilities or states allow net metering. Or, they have put all sorts of barriers in place to prevent homeowners from being able to net meter. 

This extra fee can end up doubling your electric bill over your pre-solar level. This is ridiculous! You should be able to produce your own homegrown power andreduce your electric bill! This 1:1 net metering should be a solar right!

TOOLS FOR ACTION: Protect the Right to Net Meter

The Baldwin County Electric Cooperative has made a mockery of net metering.  They have changed the way solar customers are categorized so that putting solar on your roof actually raises your electricity bill!

Since Baldwin County prides itself on its sunny beaches for tourists, you might mention that you will be looking to other states for your beach vacation this year!

“Baldwin County is Alabama’s largest county, the one that depends on sunshine to draw tourists to the Gulf beaches. Their anti-solar stance appalls me.”
– Morton Archibald, President, Alabama Solar Association

RESOURCES: Understanding Net Metering

Coalition for Solar Rights New to net metering? This website from Vote Solar gives a good introduction to the basics and includes a great video. Intro to Net Metering Wikipedia actually has a pretty good overview of the concept of net metering, as well as a list of each state’s net metering policies.

Freeing the Grid Freeing the Grid is a policy guide that grades all 50 states on two key renewable energy programs: net metering and interconnection procedures. Check out your state’s grade and learn what can be done to improve net metering in your area. DSIRE USA Want to figure out the exact net metering rules where you live? This database is the source for you! Search “net metering” to find more info.

SOLAR CITIZEN PARTNERS

Alabama Solar Association Alabama Solar Association (ASA) seeks to educate itself, the public, corporations, policy makers, and governments about the tremendous opportunities and rewards in utilizing the sun’s renewable energy.	d	ACME International Services, Inc. Located in Baldwin County, Alabama, Acme International Services, Inc. is a family owned business that is dedicated to offering the highest quality solar and alternative energy products andinstallation services at exceptionally competitive prices.	d	NY Regional Renewable Energy Conference Join the New York Solar Energy Society for their Regional Renewable Energy Conference & Expo on April 5th, 2013 in Troy, New York. The full-day event includes forums on solar financing, information about NY solarize programs, smart grids, and solar development in the state.

Members of St. Alban’s Parish in Washington, DC were able to install a 14 kW system on their church for no money upfront using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Photo courtesy of Carlo La Porta

Solar Citizen: Building the renewable energy movement from the ground up!

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Solar Rights and Power Purchase Agreement

Have you heard of a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA)? In many states, homeowners, non-profits and businesses can use these innovative mechanisms to go solar for no money down? Check out One Blog Off the Grid‘s great explanation of PPAs.

PPAs are really important if you are a non-profit, such as a church, school or local government, because they allow you to take advantage of federal tax incentives that reduce the cost of a system by up to 50% of the total cost.

Some utilities however, don’t allow you to have a PPA.  They say that ­only they are allowed to sell you electricity. Recently, in Virginia, Dominion Power issued a “cease and desist” to a University that was trying to go solar with a PPA with a local company!

Visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency to see if PPAs are allowed in your state

TOOLS FOR ACTION: Start a Petition

PPAs not allowed in your state? We can help you change that!

Solar Citizen has partnered with Community Power Network to help citizens take action and demand the right to produce their own power. We can help you start a petition to push for PPAs in your state.

Do you know a church, university, or non-profit that would like to go solar but can’t take advantage of federal tax incentives without a PPA? Help them start a petition to demand the right to have a PPA, too!

Check out the PPA petition that people in Virginia have started!
(and please forward this petition to anyone you know in VA)

RESOURCES: Understanding PPAs

Clean Energy Authority This site gives a good overview of PPAs and how homeowners can use them to finance a solar system. Go! U.S. Department of Energy DOE provides a good explanation of PPAs and the website includes resources and a webinar with additional information on PPAs. Go!

NREL Power Purchase Agreement Checklist for State and Local Governments This fact sheet provides guidance for local and state governments interested in using a PPA as a financing mechanism for a solar project. Go! California Solar Center’s Guide to Solar Power Purchase Agreements This is an excellent, detailed guide that explains PPAs for businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations. It also provides examples of projects that have been completed using a PPA. Go!

 

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TAKE ACTION!

Tell your legislators you deserve the right to produce your own power! Contact  Anya to learn more about starting a petition in your state.

SOLAR CITIZEN PARTNERS

VA Sun VA SUN is a citizens network of solar supporters in Virginia. We are part of a community listserve open to any individual or business interested in supporting solar in the state. Join us!  Go! Community Power Network We are a growing network of organizations and individuals fighting for clean, local renewable energy. Go! Your Organization Here Let us feature your project, campaign, or company in the next Solar Citizen update! Contact us.