[XCSSA] Cheaper solar power heads mainstream

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

On May 24, 2007, at 4:29 PM, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:

> I agree 100%.  That's why I said when I build my own -- I won't  
> tell CPS
> (or whoever) about it and just keep it separate.
>
> But if YOU, go out RIGHT NOW and install PV generation -- what do you
> think is going to happen?  Even *IF* you keep it separate -- there is
> going to be a drop in demand from CPS.  When Joe Blow's typical  
> bill is
> $150 a month with lows of $90 and highs of $220, and their computer
> tells them that now your typical bill is $20 with highs of $40 -- you
> don't think SOMETHING is going to happen?  You can bet your sweet  
> toilet
> muscle it will!

In my experience, even with up to 7 months of temporary absence, they  
haven't done this.  There are lots of vacant, abandoned, etc., homes  
in San Antonio.  Even the police don't bother much with vacant homes,  
much to neighbors disappointment.  CPS is more limited in what they  
can do.  But I suppose they could take a look at your roof while  
reading your meter.

In some states, maybe even most, power companies are required by  
state law to "buy back" electricity generated by renewable means.   
Quite often these laws require them to buy back (or credit) power at  
the actual rate paid by the consumer, not at some "wholesale" rate.

The technical term for this is "net metering."   Texas has had a net  
metering law for 10 years.  However, the original law only applies to  
commercial power utilities, not to municipally owned utilities.

Now, apparently there is also a federal "net metering" law, the EPAct  
of 2005, which also has an opt-out provision for municipal  
utilities.  They have to "consider" the new rules (which they just  
did, on May 17) but are not required to adopt them.

CPS has been providing net metering services since 1999.  However, as  
has been said, CPS program only reimburses power returned to the grid  
at a "replacement cost to generate" rate, not the rate you pay.  BTW,  
these services are available to anyone with CPS service, if you want  
them.

Very recently, there has been a public hearing on this (May 17,  
2007).  Here's a recommendation prepared by CPS staff:

http://www.cpsenergy.com/files/customer_comment_and_input/EPAct%20Net% 
20Metering-PrelimRec(380706_1).pdf'

It looks like they are pushing for the opt-out option.  Here is a  
page with related documents:

http://www.citypublicservice.com/content_listInternet.asp? 
sect_id=4364&elmt_id=12

I have to say I'm very disappointed with CPS in this area.  However,  
it has to be remembered that they are one of the lowest cost  
electricity providers in the country.  If you lived in Austin,  
Houston, or Dallas, you would be paying a lot more for electricity;  
you can see the comparison on every CPS bill.  That is more important  
to most people than their net metering rules.  Of course all  
utilities lose money when reimbursing power at the retail rate, and  
wouldn't do it if it weren't required by law.  One thing CPS likes to  
complain about is the cost of building and maintaining the grid is  
not accounted for in retail priced net metering.  OTOH, you could  
argue that locally produced energy is likely to be consumed fairly  
nearby, with less loss over the grid.  State and federal mandates  
support customer generated renewable power mainly for the goal of  
increasing renewable electricity generation, and that's your best  
argument.  We all need to do what we can.

If there's something you don't like about CPS, you can contact your  
city council person, the mayor, etc., since they can cause CPS to  
change its policy.  "We" own CPS, and our representatives can make or  
change their rules.  You can also contact state reps, and see about  
changing the law so that municipal utilities have to provide the same  
net metering as commercial electricity providers do, and likewise  
your federal reps.

Every Thursday, the City Council is open at 6pm until whenever for  
public comments.  Get a bunch of friends to go down and complain  
about CPS net metering policies.  You may want to get "on the  
speakers list" earlier in the day to be sure you have a chance to speak.

Too bad we missed the Public Hearing on May 17.  The next CPS board  
meeting is on June 25.  There is also a Citizens Advisory committee.

Thanks for bringing this up!

With local battery storage, it has to be remembered that batteries  
are only about 50% efficient.  So, for fair comparison, double the  
CPS "replacement cost" rate, and consider the cost of batteries and  
battery maintenance.

I suspect CPS would like to avoid getting a lot of attention for  
their stingy net metering rules.  So make a lot of noise.  But it  
helps to get all the facts too.

Charles