At issue is whether solar-system marketers can sell electricity in territories where local utilities have exclusive rights to customers. Such an arrangement isn't allowed or is under dispute in many states, limiting solar firms to sales of panels to homeowners and businesses.
Utilities are proponents of renewable energy if they own the energy assets and the electrons flow through their grid and they can bill you.
In March, an Iowa District Court judge said Eagle Point, an 18-employee company, could sign power-purchase contracts in the Dubuque territory of Alliant Energy Corp., one of the state's largest utilities. Under the disputed deal, Eagle Point would own solar panels on the roof of a Dubuque municipal building and sell power to the city at a rate similar to Alliant's.
Alliant says the ruling contradicts Iowa's policy of not allowing competition for electricity service. Eagle Point is selling energy to one of Alliant Energy Corp's customers. (WSJ, 6/23/2013)
No comments:
Post a Comment