and realized there must be some mistake in it. No way it could be 70 cents per kilowatt, more likely per 1000 kilowatts. Here they do it different, you pay an infrastructure charge, a billing office charge, and then the kilowatt charge is based ONLY on the electricity used. That way everyone who is on the grid is paying for the upkeep and repair of electric lines anyway.
 | Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years. Thanks, CNET Support |
General discussion
Sunlight (and air?) is not free.
"The charge of 70 cents a month per kilowatt, or about $5 for a typical rooftop solar customer, will be effective Jan. 1."
Discussion is locked
4 Posts
- Collapse
- Collapse -
Water in Arizona is costly, Solar energy should be left to flourish.
Rob
- Collapse -
I bet they won't have to pay it.
It's the same type of thing as a minimum base rate you normally pay for electric or water service, at least around here forever, probably others.
Even if you're gone all month, if you're on a municipal water supply there is a minimum charge. Last residence I had connected to county water supply it was for 2000 gallons a month, if the rate changed the $ amount changed. Same for electricity, but I don't know what it is because I've never been that low. The only people I ever knew that ran into the minimum had electricity at barns or something seasonal that was turned off when they weren't used. You still pay a minimum. This seems to be more of the same.
If you're connected to the grid, you should have an obligation to pay your share of maintenance and upgrade cost whether you use it or not. You want it available just in case, you have to pay for it.
The rate may be debatable, I have no idea of what would be proper. The requirement is understandable.
- Collapse -
also most cases if you actually generate more than you use that month you may be hooked up where it feed back to the grid and you get a credit, I think that's a legal requirement now. That means different equipment and hookups at your site than one that doesn't generate.
The credit is less than you pay I'm sure, but the next result to the electric company is probably a cost rather than a profit with equipment, monitoring, and paperwork.
CNET Forums
Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Roadshow Autos
Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic