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Arizona Solar Center Blog

Commentary from Arizona Solar Center Board Members and invited contributors.

While blog entries are initiated by the Solar Center, we welcome dialogue around the posted topics. Your expertise and perspective are highly valued -- so if you haven't logged in and contributed, please do so!

Jim Arwood served six Arizona governors in various capacities managing federal energy programs, culminating in his appointment by then Governor Janet Napolitano, as Director of the State Energy Office in 2006. After nearly 25 years serving the state of Arizona, Mr. Arwood retired from government service in 2010 and today consults for a variety of energy related organizations. He also serves as Director of Communications for the Arizona Solar Center.

The Decision

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) decision on November 14 to impose a monthly fee on future rooftop solar homeowners left many observers wondering whether it was:

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Fair is Fair

The net metering issue before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is being framed as an issue of “fairness.” This policy, adopted in 2008 by the ACC as part of the state’s Renewable Energy Standard, was devised to encourage Arizonans to spend large amounts of money out-of-pocket to inject clean electrons into our electrical system – benefitting the grid, the economy, our air, our health. 

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We Are Solar

For several months Arizona media outlets have repeated a certain inaccurate "statement of fact" about solar homeowners so many times that most people by now believe it to be true. Anti-solar TV ads from out-of-state non-profit organizations have made the same claim: Arizona solar customers are primarily wealthy and live in affluent neighborhoods.

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Net Metering: Point-Counterpoint Responses to the ACC Staff’s Recommendations

This week’s Sun Day Blog(s) covers both sides of the issue of the Net Metering debate. APS and AriSEIA (Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association) were asked to provide their respective positions on the Arizona Corporation Commission Staff’s recommendations concerning the net metering proposed changes offered earlier this summer by APS.

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Breaking News: ACC Staff Recommends Postponing Net Metering Discussion Until 2015

October 1 -- Yesterday the Arizona Corporation Commission Staff issued its highly anticipated recommendations in response to APS's proposed rule changes directed at residential solar customers.

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Living With The Sun (Arizona Style)

On September 23, 2013, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issued a proclamation designating October as Solar and Renewable Energy Month.

The proclamation is in recognition of the American Solar Energy Society’s annual National Solar Tour of solar installations and energy sustainable buildings.

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A Market Transformation Is Underway in the U.S. Power Sector

In January the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) issued a report to its member utilities in which they warned of the "disruptive" challenges that renewable energy and energy efficiency posed to the utility business model.

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Why isn't there more solar in Arizona? (redux)

Eleven years ago I wrote a guest editorial for the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper in Flagstaff in which I put forward a question that was quite popular at the time: "Why isn't there more solar in Arizona?"

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The $500 Million Question

There’s an important struggle being waged over solar energy in Arizona. At issue is whether utilities can charge residents who've installed solar-power equipment substantial fees.

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The New Clean Energy Economy Invests in American Jobs

Employment opportunities in the energy sector are exploding. New enhanced exploration techniques have created a boom in the oil and gas fields. Jobs in this sector are projected to double by the end of the decade.

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