New York’s solar programs offer direct bill savings to its residents. However, the private utilities responsible for delivering and billing electricity have been withholding these savings for an extended period, causing harm to families and impeding progress in achieving our clean-energy objectives.
These electric utilities are neglecting the solar energy produced by community solar projects, and they are failing to provide accurate and timely billing and crediting to subscribers. As a result, customers are being denied the savings they rightfully earned, with no indication of when they will be repaid.
Community solar programs are especially advantageous for individuals who rent, lack suitable conditions for on-site solar systems, or are unable to invest in individual systems. Unfortunately, utilities like Con Edison have chosen to disregard programs like this, particularly in the case of New York co-op residents and other community solar subscribers.
Certain utilities in New York are intentionally withholding bill credits, either by excluding them from bills entirely or delaying them for an excessive amount of time, sometimes up to two years. This mishandling of billing and crediting leads to customers missing several months’ worth of utility bills, only to receive multiple months’ worth of credits or bills simultaneously. Consequently, customers are faced with higher bills or bills that are difficult to predict, which can negatively impact the reputation of the community solar industry.
It is crucial to emphasize that the responsibility for this inaction lies solely with the utilities. Community solar in New York is a thriving industry that serves as a model for other states. Electricity generated through these programs is fairly compensated through state initiatives. However, utilities are neglecting to pass along the credits earned by customers, which undermines people’s faith in the system.
Holding utilities accountable is imperative. A coalition of solar industry stakeholders collaborated to develop a proposal that incorporates performance metrics and financial consequences for utilities that fail to deliver timely and accurate bill credits to customers.
Utilities must act as responsible partners in the transition to clean energy. The New York Public Service Commission now has an opportunity to establish a robust regulatory framework with clear deadlines and specific actions to address this issue and ensure utilities are held accountable for their role in achieving the state’s clean-energy goals.
Lindsay Griffin, the Northeast regulatory director at Vote Solar, a prominent national clean-energy nonprofit, underscores the importance of this matter.
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