October 03:
Responding to feedback from customers who generate their own power from renewable sources, We Energies has agreed to keep the current payment system in place for 10 years.
Meanwhile, the utility will continue to seek big changes for anyone planning to install a renewable energy system at a home or business.
The Milwaukee utility will formally announce the change in filings with the state Public Service Commission on Tuesday, a day before public hearings that start at 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Wilson Senior Center in Milwaukee.
We Energies is continuing to push its plan to charge a new fee and pay less to customers who generate their own power. The company also wants to bar customers from leasing their own solar systems.
We Energies says the current way of paying for solar power penalizes other customers. It says customers' generation doesn't pose a challenge to its sales or profitability now — but needs addressing before it does.
Any system for which an application is filed by Tuesday would be grandfathered, said Brian Manthey, a utility spokesman.
We Energies isn't the only utility proposing big changes in how renewable power generating customers are paid. Another is Madison Gas & Electric Co., which agreed in May to grandfather existing systems for 15 years, spokesman Steve Kraus said Friday.
Customers who have installed solar say they were encouraged by the utilities and the state Focus on Energy program to make long-term investments in solar.
Matt Neumann, whose Pewaukee-based Sunvest Solar business installs solar panels, said he received word his system would be grandfathered. "It's what they should have been doing all along," he said. "It's a very good step towards fairness."
We Energies says its renewable customers aren't paying enough toward costs of the power grid and distribution system, costs that end up being shifted to others. But opponents say the utility hasn't quantified the benefits solar power generates.
"They're calling it a subsidy, but all they're doing is taxing us more and paying us less for having renewable energy on our houses or businesses," said Neumann. "They can call it a subsidy all they want; I'm going to call what they're doing a tax."
The utility's rate plan also calls for a 75% jump in the fixed charge that appears on residential customers' monthly bills, to $16 a month.
Source: www.jsonline.com/business/existing-solar-systems-will-keep-same-plan-b99364436z1-278089181.html?
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