1) Dominion suddenly changed the amount for interconnection of large sized solar panels like those on schools. The matter is now being reviewed by the Stare Corporation Commission that regulated utilities.
2) A bill to share the cost between the applicant and the Utility was put forward during the last General Assembly session, but one of our ALX delegates (Herring) voted against it (joining the Republicans on the committee) killing a potential solution. In all of her reviews of the GA session she’s not explained her vote.
3) No other utility across the US requires there allegedly “safety” measures. Some have argued it’s because the Utility doesn’t want to help rooftop solar since it competes with the Utilitys profit strategy of being 100% in charge of where anyone gets their electricity.
4) in 2018 a bill was passed and signed into law giving Dominion millions of dollars to upgrade the grid and they’ve been getting money from you and me to do this for years. The type of “safety” enhancements required of new rooftop solar could be part of that bill.
5) Since promoting rooftop solar is part of the Virginia Clean Economy Act and its benefits are shared by all of VA, why isn’t the cost of these alleged “safety” upgrades not shared by all VA in a charge on ratepayers bills like all other renewable energy projects so the amount of cost to ratepayers depends on the amount of electricity you use?
6) it’s always the same with Dominion - how can I make the most money for my shareholders and screw those trying to fight against the climate crisis and the effects on the most vulnerable.
The introduction of connection fees seems particularly galling for projects that are already installed and merely waiting to be activated. Less objectionable, I guess, if the customer (in this case, ACPS) had full information from the start. But the Minnie Howard and DM situations feel like a big case of bait and switch. One has to wonder if there is scope for appealing this to the state utility commission and saying this is a blatantly unfair business practice. It’d also be interesting to know if other utilities are introducing comparable connection fees.
Interesting, disturbing story. The world needs solar, the non-fossil alternative with the fewest side effects, but the power companies continue to put hurdles in the way.
A few things to know about this:
1) Dominion suddenly changed the amount for interconnection of large sized solar panels like those on schools. The matter is now being reviewed by the Stare Corporation Commission that regulated utilities.
2) A bill to share the cost between the applicant and the Utility was put forward during the last General Assembly session, but one of our ALX delegates (Herring) voted against it (joining the Republicans on the committee) killing a potential solution. In all of her reviews of the GA session she’s not explained her vote.
3) No other utility across the US requires there allegedly “safety” measures. Some have argued it’s because the Utility doesn’t want to help rooftop solar since it competes with the Utilitys profit strategy of being 100% in charge of where anyone gets their electricity.
4) in 2018 a bill was passed and signed into law giving Dominion millions of dollars to upgrade the grid and they’ve been getting money from you and me to do this for years. The type of “safety” enhancements required of new rooftop solar could be part of that bill.
5) Since promoting rooftop solar is part of the Virginia Clean Economy Act and its benefits are shared by all of VA, why isn’t the cost of these alleged “safety” upgrades not shared by all VA in a charge on ratepayers bills like all other renewable energy projects so the amount of cost to ratepayers depends on the amount of electricity you use?
6) it’s always the same with Dominion - how can I make the most money for my shareholders and screw those trying to fight against the climate crisis and the effects on the most vulnerable.
Dear Renewable Only Girl:
Your comments and insights are fabulous. Thank you very much for taking the time to enhance this post.
I knew there was more to this situation than I was able to find out from ACPS. Your comments provide a much more complete view of the matter.
All best.
Thank you. Available to chat anytime.
The introduction of connection fees seems particularly galling for projects that are already installed and merely waiting to be activated. Less objectionable, I guess, if the customer (in this case, ACPS) had full information from the start. But the Minnie Howard and DM situations feel like a big case of bait and switch. One has to wonder if there is scope for appealing this to the state utility commission and saying this is a blatantly unfair business practice. It’d also be interesting to know if other utilities are introducing comparable connection fees.
Interesting, disturbing story. The world needs solar, the non-fossil alternative with the fewest side effects, but the power companies continue to put hurdles in the way.