The rooftop solar debate appears to boil down to one very simple equation: what is the value of rooftop solar systems to the grid and vice-versa? Oh, if it were only so simple.
The media-fueled chest-puffing of both the solar and utility industries is making it rather difficult to have the reasonable discussion needed to answer that question. Because, despite both sides' self-righteous grandstanding, they both just want the policies that are most financially beneficial to them.
The sooner we acknowledge the net metering debate is largely about neither "freedom" nor "fairness" for the people, the sooner we will be able to have a more productive discussion about energy policy and the world we want to leave for future generations. Because sometimes, it's just not all about the Benjamins.
- Arizona sets first rooftop solar fee in U.S.: Arizona Public Service says the action "falls well short" of what's needed.
- Tea Party groups join solar fight against utilities: At first glance, the Tea Party and the Sierra Club make for strange bedfellows.
- TV commercial escalates fight over rooftop solar: Edison Electric Institute's new commercial reportedly played during Sunday night's NFL broadcast.
- How the unheralded water heater is on the cutting-edge of demand response: Utility Dive's Bill Opalka looks at how simple household water heaters help utilities dynamically manage load.
- Google invests in energy management startup Building Robotics: Human input is the key to its first energy efficiency program.
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