Fifteen rooftop solar companies from across North Carolina today called on Gov. Roy Cooper to help protect rooftop solar from Duke Energy’s attempt to weaken the industry by changing state rules.
Also today, three of those companies – Southern Energy Management, Yes Solar Solutions and Sundance Power Systems – signaled a legal challenge to Duke Energy’s proposal by jointly intervening in the regulatory case at the NC Utilities Commission.*
NC WARN is honored to be an ally of all these fine solar companies.
This case could determine whether North Carolina will do its part to help slow the climate crisis or allow Duke Energy to continue with its “expand gas, limit renewables” business model.
Key points of the solar companies’ letter to Cooper include:
We believe the proposed changes could harm a growing industry on behalf of a single corporation, cause the loss of thousands of well-paying jobs in the North Carolina solar industry, threaten your climate goals and hurt all electricity customers by limiting the delivery of low-cost power to the grid.
… In contrast to a key premise alleged by Duke Energy, rooftop solar is good for all electricity ratepayers by lowering the need for expensive fossil fuel power and providing low-cost power to the grid on a daily basis and particularly during periods of high demand.
… It is not fair that Duke Energy’s plan would reduce the value of solar production by 25-35% for the average consumer.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
Attorney General Josh Stein has intervened in the controversial docket at the NC Utilities Commission. His position is not yet known.
Nationally prominent Environmental Working Group is intervening, represented by Raleigh attorney Cathy Cralle Jones (this is separate from NC WARN’s intervention). Several other groups are co-intervening with EWG and with NC WARN.
Attorneys for parties in the case will file initial comments with the NC Utilities Commission by March 29. There’s a good chance some type of hearing will be held later.
Over 50 nonprofits have signed a statement opposing Duke Energy’s “choke rooftop solar” scheme.
Clean energy forces in several states are vigorously contesting monopoly utility efforts to choke competition from rooftop solar. Winning in the North Carolina case could be pivotal to flipping Duke Energy’s climate-wrecking business model.
Media coverage:
Energy News Network
Facing South
WFAE, Charlotte
WUNC, Chapel Hill
WXII 12 News, Greensboro
PV Magazine
Winston-Salem Journal
Greensboro News & Record
News & Observer / Charlotte Observer
