Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that "several" rooftop solar companies had distanced themselves from Miller and TASC.
Dive Brief:
- Bryan Miller, an outspoken advocate for rooftop solar, has left his positions as the vice president of public policy and markets at Sunrun and the spokesperson for solar advocacy group The Alliance For Solar Choice (TASC), Lauren Randall, a spokesperson for Sunrun and TASC, confirmed to Utility Dive.
- Randall said Miller “successfully lead our public policy efforts over the past 3 1/2 years” and the company is “grateful for his service and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.” However, Randall declined to provide more information on his departure. Miller declined to comment when reached by Utility Dive, saying he would only speak through his lawyer.
- A controversial figure, Miller gained a high profile in the power sector three years ago for his blunt, sometimes caustic comments as TASC's spokesman during debates over net metering reforms, most notably in Arizona and Nevada.
Dive Insight:
In his three years at Sunrun, Miller was known for an aggressive lobbying that some in the solar industry say divided the rooftop sector from within.
During the heated debate in Nevada over rooftop solar incentives, unnamed sources told Utility Dive TASC's approach, spearheaded by Miller, alienated regulators.
Since the beginning of his tenure, Miller made it clear his goal was not to befriend utilities.
“We're working to educate policy makers to talk about the benefits of DG and calling the utilities out for their repeated blatant misrepresentations about net-metering,” Miller said in an article in 2013. “The truth is not on their side in these debates and they continue to stretch the truth and abuse the truth in every one of these proceedings.”
Although it worked with TASC in many states over the last few years, the nation's largest residential solar company, SolarCity, distanced itself from TASC's advocacy efforts, which were led by Miller, by leaving the organization shortly before Nevada issued its net metering decision last year.
“SolarCity is no longer involved with TASC advocacy on new matters,” SolarCity spokesman Will Craven said after the company announced it was parting ways with the group. “We appreciated the opportunity to be a member of TASC and wish TASC the best of luck.”
Former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff's appointment as SolarCity's Chief Policy Director has reflected a change in tone towards working with utilities, underscored by a recent compromise with New York utilities to replace retail rate net metering.
