An early advocate, he installed panels on his roof 14 years ago and immediately saw a cost savings. His first bill was only $46, less than half of what he usually paid.So it was a big surprise to learn he now has to pay an extra fee just because he has solar.
The fee isn’t huge – about two to three dollars a month on average. But that’s on top of a recent 11% hike in APS rates that all residential customers are now paying, not just solar customers. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has also weighed in, saying the solar fee runs afoul of the state’s constitution. She cites a portion of the state’s constitution that says charges by public utilities “shall be just and reasonable” with “no discrimination in charges.”
On Monday, the corporation commission voted to rehear issues related to the solar fee, including whether the fee should be higher or lower and whether the fee is discriminatory to solar customers. That discussion will take place at a future meeting.