Arizona’s TEP proposes new punitive rate structure for rooftop solar customers

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The new proposals see surplus fees for solar users, and a decline in credits for excess solar power. Source: Tucson Electric Power

Arizonan utility Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has proposed a new rates structure for rooftop solar customers that would cut solar credits and instate time-of-use (ToU) rates.

This proposal is the second instalment of a rate case the utility filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in February. The first part proposed a US$8.50 increase on an average electricity bill compared to November 2015 rates.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

This new proposal attempts to come up with new pricing options for solar customers, after net metering was formally ended in the state in December last year. In its filing TEP proposed an export rate of 9.7 cents/kWh for excess solar power, compared with the current rate of around 11.5 cents/kWh – with the retail rate standing at around 13-14 cents/kWh.

The utility also proposed demand charges and a US$4 meter-reading charge for solar customers, as well as a ToU rate structure. ToU rates are based on the time of day electricity is used and the cost of supplying electricity to a consumer at that time. If electricity is used during off-peak hours, the rate will be lower than the standard flat rate. Likewise, on-peak hours will cost more than the standard rate.

Customers will be forced to choose between a ToU rate with a monthly grid-access fee of US$3.50/kW or a ToU rate coupled with a demand charge based on their highest hourly energy usage during the month.

Last summer, fellow Arizonian utility APS submitted a request to implement a mandatory demand charge for residential customers.

The utility says that the changes to existing rate structure and pricing are needed to fairly bill solar customers for their use of the grid. Whilst TEP argues that the changes would “allow customers to realise significant savings by going solar”, according to TEP spokesman Joe Barrios, industry advocates say the changes fail to take into account the full benefits of solar.

“Solar customers are investing their own money to do something that benefits everybody, so it doesn’t make sense to go out of our way to charge them exorbitant fees,” said Court Rich, vice president of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association.

The proposals are subject to approval, rejection or modification by state regulators. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has launched a new electrical balance of systems (eBOS) trunk connector.
September 5, 2025
During a week of major US clean energy developments, ContourGlobal, PSE, Arevon, and Ameren Missouri advanced solar projects across four states in the US.
September 5, 2025
Newly formed firm Solaris Assets has acquired the business operations and assets of Texas-based residential solar installer Sunnova.
September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has announced that two of its tracking systems are compatible with 2,000V solar systems.
September 4, 2025
Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to accelerate the permitting of energy generation projects that could be set to lose IRA support.
September 4, 2025
US polysilicon company Highland Materials has aimed to begin construction at its polysilicon plant in the second half of 2026.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines