Solar
Alleyn Harned
Sharing this note from Solar United Neighbors: Take action speaking for stronger net metering in Harrisonburg, and ask City/ HEC to prioritize local zero carbon renewable energy home solar.
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The key policy to support rooftop solar is net metering, a simple billing arrangement allowing solar customers to receive a full credit on their electric bill for the “excess” energy they send to the grid. This policy is based on the commonsense idea that the electricity you produce is equal in value to the electricity you receive from your utility.
Unfortunately, the city of Harrisonburg’s electric utility, Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC) has proposed to change its net metering policy for future net-metered solar customers, effective September 2019. They have not made clear what the change will be, but we are very concerned that their new policy might reduce the full compensation rate for net metering and create barriers to prospective solar owners.
Tell HEC: Do Not Short-Change Virginian Solar Owners!
The decision to change net metering in HEC territory was made with little input from existing and prospective solar owners, solar businesses, and other stakeholders. HEC offered no justification or outlined any transparent process for their proposed changes that will affect future solar homeowners and businesses.
We can’t allow HEC to short-change solar homeowners and businesses.
Here’s how you can act to protect your and other HEC customers’ solar rights:
1. Tell the HEC commissioners and Harrisonburg city councilors to maintain the full retail rate and value for future net-metered customers.
2. Demand that any proposed changes to the net metering policy be substantiated with data and result from an open and transparent process that respects the rights of future solar owners.
3. If you’re interested in speaking out against HEC’s proposal to weaken net-metering directly, reply to this email for details of an HEC meeting on June 25th.
Thank you for standing up for your and other HEC customers’ solar rights. Your voice will make a difference!
Sincerely,
Aaron Sutch
Virginia State Director
Solar United Neighbors