The installation rate for distributed solar is growing nearly every quarter. These projects are cost effective and move from proposal to power source very quickly. Plus, locally-owned solar distributes the benefits of the clean energy transition through local economies.
Despite the many benefits of local ownership, utility companies oppose it. They prefer to build their own generation and distribution infrastructure, no matter the cost, because they are guaranteed to earn a guaranteed return on their investments. Utility choices hinder clean energy adoption, jack up power bills, and even threaten our democracy.
John Farrell, Director of ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative, and Timothy Denherder-Thomas, General Manager of Cooperative Energy Futures, discuss utility attacks on distributed, locally-owned solar in the video below. Each presenter recognizes that the clean energy transition will require both utility-scale and distributed generation; they make the case for maximizing local solar to maximize local benefits. This was originally presented to the Just Solar Coalition on February 6, 2024.
Watch the thirty minute presentation:
Learn more about why monopoly utilities are opposing distributed solar:
- Download ILSR’s slides for a more accurate solar cost comparison.
- Read a report on How Local Ownership of Clean Energy Boosts Benefits, Busts Barriers, and Builds Power.
- Read John Farrell’s Star Tribune commentary countering Xcel Energy’s claims about the community solar program.
- Read John Farrell’s explanation of why Minnesota regulators slashed compensation for community solar projects.
- Listen to a Local Energy Rules interview with Pouya Najmaie, Policy and Regulatory Director at Cooperative Energy Futures.
- Read John Farrell’s Twitter thread on why we don’t need new transmission.
- Listen to a Local Energy Rules podcast episode on what California got wrong in its 2022 net metering decision.
For timely updates from the Energy Democracy Initiative, follow John Farrell on Twitter, subscribe to the Energy Democracy weekly update, and check out the Local Energy Rules podcast.
Featured photo credit: iStock
