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When it comes to solar, there's quite a bit of misinformation. While it's easy to blame utilities, just as many desperate actors within the solar industry are willing to contribute to and even capitalize on people's confusion.
Now, let's get to our first solar myth...
The utilities are trying to kill solar, so I should avoid the uncertainty altogether.
Solar is alive and well in Arizona, but how systems are designed is changing. These changes are driven in part by rooftop solar. Still, other factors such as electric vehicles, improvements in energy efficiency, and a growing at-home workforce are all impacting how people power their lives. Arizona utilities are designing different rate structures to address these changes to better align grid performance with evolving consumption patterns.
Technology-first solar companies, like SunPower and Sun Valley Solar Solutions, have been at the forefront of energy innovation and disruption for many years. By leading with technology and a solutions-based sales model, savvy solar companies are thriving as these new rate plans are introduced. In 2018 alone, Arizona ranked 3rd in the nation for solar installed and employed over 8,000 people in solar. Even utilities see solar as a critical component of a 21st-century energy model. They often approach leading local firms like Sun Valley Solar for assistance with their solar installations.
Rather than retreating, the best solar companies use the latest technology to create even MORE ways to save through innovations like batteries and demand managers. Demand based rate plans are the perfect example. With demand plans, homeowners pay an additional fee for their highest on-peak 30-minute (SRP) or 60-minute (APS) usage window. However, demand plans also offer a dramatically reduced per-kWh rate, so significant savings are available for customers willing to control their demand spikes with the help of technology.
Adding a battery to your solar array is another way to unlock big savings from modern rate plans. A battery allows you to store your excess energy rather than sending it back to the grid in exchange for a credit (which is getting smaller every year). You can then use this stored energy during more expensive on-peak hours. Some batteries can even hedge against demand fees.
Modern rate plans are changing how solar savings are calculated and how solar energy systems are designed. Still, the right combination of technology and education can unlock even more savings for those willing to be involved in their energy consumption.
If you've been considering switching to solar, now is the time to act! With the 30% ITC ending, 2019 is surely the most important year for solar in more than a decade. Contact one of our qualified solar integrators to start your solar project today!
Other parts in our Myth Busters series:
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