Constitutional Stand-down on Rooftop Solar
In the battle for constitutional supremacy over all things solar (see my previous post), the solar initiative group chaired by former ACC Chair Kris Mayes has decided to call off the dogs following the legislature’s move to counteract the effort with two constitutional measures of its own. Needless to say, the legislative referendums under consideration were not to the solar industry’s liking. This constitutional tit-for-tat led both sides to mutually disarm and instead pursue negotiations to resolve issues rather than confuse and confound voters with constitutional clutter.
News reports indicate the opposing sides (presumptively reported as being led by SolarCity and APS, respectively) will engage a mediator to seek compromise on integrating rooftop solar into the utility grid and how to compensate solar installations for exporting power back to the grid.
In the midst of constitutional détente over rooftop solar, we shouldn’t lose sight that broader issues loom ahead. Technological advances in battery storage, electric vehicles and community-based distributed generation could push us in directions now obscured by the current rooftop solar debate. Customer opportunities for other renewable technologies must be factored into whatever solutions might be proposed.
But, for now at least-- all’s quiet on the constitutional front.