Distributed generation rakes in benefits for APS customers
May 14, 2013 | By
Barbara Vergetis Lundin
Distributed generation (DG) and net metering will provide Arizona Public Service (APS) customers with $34 million in annual benefits, according to a study by Crossborder Energy. The study, commissioned by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), used data from APS' 2012 Integrated Resource Plan to examine the costs incurred and the benefits generated by distributed solar over the 20-year life of a distributed solar system -- an approach consistent with APS' long-term resource planning. For each dollar spent, DG provides $1.54 worth of benefits to APS customers, the research found, amounting to net benefits of $34 million per year beginning in 2015. Benefits include savings on expensive conventional power and power plants; reduced investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure; reduced electricity losses during transportation over power lines; and savings on the cost of meeting renewable energy requirements. "This study clearly shows that solar offers concrete net benefits to all APS ratepayers, regardless of whether or not they have installed solar" said Carrie Cullen Hitt, senior vice president of state affairs at SEIA. "It's essential that we keep smart policies like net metering in place so that Arizona can continue to benefit from its abundant solar resources." Net metering is currently in place in 43 states. Arizona ranks second in the country in terms of the amount of solar installed and holds the most solar per capita of any state in the U.S. In 2012 alone, $590 million in solar investments were made in Arizona. For more: © 2013 FierceMarkets. All rights reserved. http://www.fierceenergy.com http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/distributed-generation-rakes-benefits-aps-customers/2013-05-14 |