Net Zero Solar is a Full-Service Solar Installation Company
520.207.4053

Category: Arizona

2 years of solar: summary of my second year with a solar-powered home

This guest post is reblogged from Justine Schluntz, a NZS customer here in Tucson. Thanks for letting us share this, Justine! 

January 14 marked the 2-year anniversary of my solar PV system getting connected to the grid. Last year, I celebrated my first solar anniversary by sharing all my solar data for the year. Since I think it’s important to continue to spread the word about solar energy, I’ll share all my system and cost data again.

As I said, a big reason for me sharing this data is that I want to encourage others to install solar at their house. Note: the financial picture for residential solar in Arizona will change soon (and in favor of the utilities, not you), so if you’re in AZ and have been thinking about going solar but haven’t gotten around to it, DO IT NOW. If you have any questions on this, I encourage you to talk to the very knowledgeable staff at Net Zero Solar, the company I got my system from…

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TEP Rate Case and Net Metering Nearing End

It’s been a long road. Utilities like Tucson Electric Power have been trying to reduce competition from rooftop solar for many years, but we can trace this rate case back to March of 2015, when TEP put forth a proposal to gut net metering, an important policy that allows a one-to-one credit for any “extra” energy from a solar electric system that’s sent to TEP. (For more info on how energy flows in a grid-connected solar electric system, see our infographic).

This net metered solar electric system in Oro Valley, Arizona is connected to the TEP grid.

In that case, TEP proposed that customers should be credited about 55% of the retail electric rate for energy sent back to their grid, which would have upended the economics of rooftop solar. More perniciously, they also proposed an arbitrary date for this change of June 1st, 2015 in their application, without any approval by the Arizona Corporation Commission. This was in contrast to the ACC’s established precedent against retroactive rates, and no reasonable outside observer thought it likely that the ACC would approve that date. However, it cast a long shadow on the solar market. We objected strenuously. Many customers were concerned that they would not receive net metering if they installed rooftop solar. At Net Zero Solar, we had to both lay off co-workers and take pay cuts.

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Lhasha & Russell Love Rooftop Solar

Russell Lowes and Lhasha Tizer have worked tirelessly for many years to fight for sustainable energy and contribute to the Tucson community. After taking steps to reduce the energy use of their home, they installed solar in March of 2013. Here is their solar story, along with their thoughts on the future of energy in Tucson.

You can read more of Russell’s thoughts on solar and energy storage here.

Are you interested in solar, or know someone who is? Did you know that TEP customers can still lock in net metering for 20 years, if they make the decision to install soon? Get in touch with us for details, 520-207-4053, or www.netzerosolar.net.

Sonya Chooses Rooftop Solar

Sonya installed solar on both her own home, and her rental property! See why she believes rooftop solar should be a big part of Tucson’s energy future.

James Loves Rooftop Solar

James “Cosmo” Cramer shares why he loves rooftop solar, and why he thinks it’s important for Tucson!

Rate Case Rundown

There’s a lot going on for solar in Arizona. With the end of net metering, our southern Arizona utilities have each proposed different policies, rate structures, and fees. Here’s a summary of the current status and what to expect in the future:

Tucson Electric Power

 

Can I still install solar with net metering?

Yes, until the Arizona Corporation Commission decides TEP’s rate case, customers can use net metering, and will be grandfathered for twenty years.

What are TEP’s current rates for rooftop solar customers?

Customers with solar electric systems can choose the Residential Basic Plan. This plan includes a monthly service charge of $13.00. Energy charges range between 9.9-12.3¢ per kilowatt-hour, depending on your monthly usage, and the time of year. You’ll also pay some taxes and fees, plus a fee for the bidirectional meter needed for net metering. That meter fee is $2.05/month or a one-time cost of $142.95 for residential customers, or less for commercial customers.

Although TEP has been advertising various rate choices, including time-of-use rates and demand rates, these rates don’t pair well with rooftop solar.
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How Does Net Metering Work With My Electric Bill?

Here is how net metering works with your electric bill. We’ll be sharing more about how billing will work for systems without net metering in the future. TEP and SSVEC customers can still choose net metering. APS customers will not be able to use net metering starting the end of this month, and Trico customers are already on an export rate system.

What’s a Residential Demand Charge?

Wondering what a residential demand charge is and if you should switch electric rates? Check out our new infographic! If you have comments or questions, please share them below.

Hate solar telemarketers? We do too!

I arrived home after a busy workday, and sat down for dinner. My phone rang. It wasn’t a number I recognized, but it was in my home area code. When I answered, a telemarketer we’ll call “Sam” introduced himself.

Red Flag #1: Promises of “free” solar energy

Sam launched into his script: “Do you know that right now, you can receive up to $10,000 in incentives and grants in Arizona to make your home more energy efficient, for zero down?” The game was on. The object? To act ill-informed enough that he wouldn’t hang up on me, and would share more about his questionable business practices.

Lead generation and telemarketing companies often promise “free” solar electric systems that will “save hundreds each month.” Solar can be a great investment, but it isn’t free. Solar leases may save you a few bucks a month, but they usually contain surprises in the small print, and make poor assumptions about future energy rates. Solar loans are better, but still have a cost of capital embedded somewhere. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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945 W Silverlake Road
Tucson, AZ 85713
520-207-4053

ROC# 248710, 259521, 259756