UTILITIES GO SOLAR

Big utilities enter market for small rooftop solar

Ray Henry and Susan Montoya, September 28, 2015 (Philadelphia Inquirer)

“Traditional power companies are getting into small-scale solar energy and competing for space on your rooftop…The emerging competition comes as utilities and smaller solar installers fight over the future of the U.S. energy system. While the market for residential solar power remains a financial drop in the bucket for a big utility, the installation of solar panels overall grew by more than 50 percent in 2014 and is on track for another record-breaking year at time when the traditional utility business is pretty flat…These moves may have a range of effects for customers. The utilities experimenting in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Texas could make solar more affordable for average consumers by energizing competition and driving down prices…Smaller solar companies fear the incumbents will use their power to drive competitors from the market…These experimental programs are one part of a bigger, years long battle between the solar industry and utilities…” click here for more

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