A better link to the solar rate proposal:

http://tinyurl.com/9xr62qf

I think Aman and Luke have it all figured out. I'm confirming with AE, just in case something was missed.

Thanks for all your hard work, Aman and others!

And this WAS all discussed during the rate review process and I did bring it up during the process and during the public comment period. I knew only those who were really interested would pay the most attention, and that was expected, and that's ok! At least everyone is even more engaged with their energy use than they have been in the past, and everyone is really learning the value of the solar on their homes. I consider that a huge win.

I'll post any comments AE may have, if any, but I think Aman was pretty thorough!!

Kathy

To add to my above post, we get our electricity and water at an amazing price. I cannot stress this enough. AE must remain price competitive to other providers in the state, or they will be disbanded by the legislature. And the cost of water? Well, I would love to discuss this (with beers) with anyone interested. We make out like bandits, folks.

With the advancement of EVs, including solar storage, and whatever awesome technology awaits us around the corner, I still think it's amazing I can drive a car powered by the present-day sun instead of old, processed, dirty sun in the form of fossil fuels. It amazes me every day. I consider myself lucky to be a part of this technological revolution! I could go on and on...

Yes - thank you everyone for figuring this all out. Now that I realize the credit will apply to our total bill, all my concerns have gone away. I just checked on my latest bill, and indeed have a credit. This is the lowest bill I have had since going solar. Hooray!!

Let me preface the following by saying that I understand that AE gave me $18,000 for my solar system and that has earned the right to do almost anything they want.
I looked at the rates in the following way: AE provides me energy to cover whenever my solar system is down, not supplying enough or not producing (night). I should pay them for every kwh provided at their rates. At times I produce more and AE buys it from me at an agreed upon rate. This is not really net metering - it is two transactions. AE does not even look at my solar meter (why should they except as I said above). I made a model to compute my bill using only the delivered and received readings from the electric meter. I only looked at my last two months (1 summer, 1 winter) but it looks like it comes out about like the new structure. We should do better in the winter and some worse in the summer. My file is attached.

Friends, I hate to be the bearer of slightly less awesome news.

I have spoken with Tim Harvey, AE's Solar Manager, and he was surprised to learn that the billing was crediting our current utility bills as the billing department assured him that they were prepared for the policy change (actually they told him that they never credited the rest of the utility bill). Whatever benefit you are currently seeing on your current utility bill will shift toward a carryover credit on your future electric bill...as soon as they figure out how to do it.

He also mentioned the following:

1. Any annual credits forfeited by the solar owner would be rolled in a customer benefit fund. I don't know if this is the fund for electricity assistance for low-income customers or if its part of the renewable energy fund itself.
2. AE may be amenable to shifting the reset date from January 1st to October 1st. I might suggest a mini-online petition to collect interest before submitting to AE.

I hope this helps clarify the situation.
Dusty

That is terrible news! I still don't understand how they can take energy that my solar panels are producing without having to reimburse me for it. My system is slightly large for my house, and we conserve. I had about a $20 credit this month. If things continue like this, that's about $80 I'll lose come January. I sure would like to be able to put that $80 toward my solar panel loan. I am going to research the legality of all this. It really feels like theft to me.

He also mentioned the following:
1. Any annual credits forfeited by the solar owner would be rolled in a customer benefit fund. I don't know if this is the fund for electricity assistance for low-income customers or if its part of the renewable energy fund itself.
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Sounds like a charitable deduction

Apparently the credits cannot be applied to the other portions of the utility bill because that would impact the budgets and revenue models of the other departments (water, waste water, solid waste, etc.) In addition, the year-end credit would have to dissolve away or be applied to some fund. Otherwise, AE would have to issue you you check for the amount owed. That would ostensibly require that you be issued a 1099 since the amount owed would be considered income.

I have no problem with it being considered income - at least that way I would be getting the money! Money I could use to pay off my solar loan faster :)