A power struggle over solar power

SALT LAKE CITY — A fight over solar power fees is heating up between Rocky Mountain Power and some of the utility's customers who hoped to save energy and money.

It boils down to lost revenue from customers who are using less energy provided by the company.

“They’re using the facilities, but because they’re paying less for their energy, they’re actually not paying all of their costs for fixed costs,” Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Paul Murphy said. “They’re still using the wires, the poles and everything else.”

The utility wants Utah’s Public Service Commission to approve a new monthly fee of $4.65 that would apply to 3,000 customers who have solar power generation capabilities on their properties.

One of them, Mike Rossetti, founded Utah Citizens Advocating Renewable Energy—or UCARE. He said four panels cost $1,000 and last 25 years.

“Figure that out. It would actually cost them more for the $4.65 than it would for the panels in the first place,” Rossetti said.

Rossetti claims Rocky Mountain’s numbers are flawed and calls the proposed fee “unfair” and “discouraging.”

Rossetti said solar power customers install panels at their own cost to reduce traditional energy dependence.

“We didn’t do it for the return on investment,” Rossetti said. “We did it because it’s clean energy. We like the comfort of knowing that if we want to run the air conditioner an extra hour it’s not going to kill us.”

But the utility calls the fee “necessary” and contends without it, a million other customers will be left to cover the shortfall.

Both sides will make their case next Tuesday before the Public Service Commission.

UCARE plans to rally prior to the 5:00 p.m. meeting at the Heber M. Wells Building, 160 E. 300 South, Room 403, in Salt Lake City.