Solar advocacy group ‘Tell Utilities Solar won't be Killed’ (TUSK) has accused energy provider NV Energy of lobbying for anti-competitive measures, which attack jobs in the solar industry in Nevada.
The group said rooftop solar is taking off in the state, but claimed: “NV Energy is lobbying against it to protect their monopoly. NV Energy wants to eliminate a fundamental solar policy called net metering so they can wipe out competition and stop rooftop solar in its tracks.”
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Net metering gives solar customers full credit for the excess energy they put back on electric grid. Utilities then sell this energy at the full retail rate to homes and businesses nearby.
Rooftop solar has become so popular in Nevada that the state is approaching a cap on the number of people who can participate in solar net metering; a cap which TUSK claims is unjustified.
TUSK also claimed: “Unless the Legislature lifts this arbitrary cap, solar choice, competition and job creation will cease. NV Energy is lobbying for this death sentence. That's anti-competitive.”
Nevada has 5,900 solar jobs and is currently ranked number one nationally in solar jobs per capita.
TUSK chairman and retired US Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr said: “If NV Energy wipes out rooftop solar, they'll wipe out the competitive market that drives down solar costs and creates jobs.”