Solar bill passes Kentucky House, heads back to Senate

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Adam Beam, Associated Press
Updated 11:55 am CST, Friday, February 15, 2019

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Lawmakers in coal-loving Kentucky have approved a bill that could make solar panels less lucrative for residential customers beyond 2020.

The House of Representatives voted 71-24 to pass Senate Bill 100 on Friday. It would let the Public Service Commission, a board appointed by the governor, decide how much utility companies must pay to purchase power from people who have solar panels installed on their homes.

The state Senate has already passed the bill, but they will have to vote on it again because the House made some changes. If it becomes law, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2020. Anyone who has solar panels installed before then would be exempt from the law for the next 25 years.

People with solar panels on their homes sometimes generate more power than they need. When that happens, the utility company buys the power back from them. Customers don't get cash, but a credit toward their power bill.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Solar-bill-passes-Kentucky-House-heads-back-to-13619636.php

[Bayard]

1. This happened a lot when I lived in CA

Here in KY, I'm thinking, not so much.

[ROB-ROX]

2. IN CALIFORNIA

The utility can buy the excess power for $0.03 per kilowatt. People pay $0.21 per kilowatt. I thought casinos had good odds for making money. The crime is the purchased power should be bought at the same rate the utility charges.......

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. I don't have a problem with them having a mark-up, but 7 fold seems extreme

Considering the utility is forced to purchase the excess power, I don't have a problem with them making a small profit on it.

[diva77]

4. wow, I was unaware of these rates -- do you have a link?