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How Archaic Utility Rules Stall Local Solar [Infographic]

| Written by John Farrell | 13 Comments | Updated on Aug 8, 2012 The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/archiac-utility-rules-stall-local-solar-infographic/

Many people expect that solar power will dramatically expand once it bursts through the cost barrier and becomes less expensive than grid electricity.  But archaic utility rules can effectively cap local solar development at just 15% of peak demand.  Fortunately, pioneering states like Hawaii and California are exploring ways to lift the cap and bring utility rules into the 21st century.

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About John Farrell

John Farrell directs the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and he focuses on energy policy developments that best expand the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. More

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13 Comments

US solar market grows despite massive subsidies for fossil fuels — Secure Futures Solar said...

[...] major utilities attempt to push the solar industry back into the dark ages continue, you will find the most [...]

Aug 20, 2012

Four Charts Provide Distributed Solar Lessons from California | Grist said...

[...] assuming that local solar can be installed sufficient to meet 100% of local demand, far beyond the conservative “15% rule” that utilities typically [...]

Sep 17, 2012

Four distributed solar lessons from California, in charts : Renew Economy said...

[...] assuming that local solar can be installed sufficient to meet 100% of local demand, far beyond the conservative “15% rule” that utilities typically [...]

Sep 17, 2012

Four Charts Provide Distributed Solar Lessons from California said...

[...] assuming that local solar can be installed sufficient to meet 100% of local demand, far beyond the conservative “15% rule” that utilities typically [...]

Sep 19, 2012

4 Charts Provide Distributed Solar Lessons from California | GoSolar.LA – Blogs said...

[...] assuming that local solar can be installed sufficient to meet 100% of local demand, far beyond the conservative “15% rule” that utilities typically [...]

Oct 2, 2012

Preparing for “Cheaper than Grid” Solar Electricity | Grist said...

[...] one, utilities adhere to archaic limits on local power generation that can severely curtail the expansion of residential and commercial rooftop solar power.  For [...]

Nov 19, 2012

Preparing For “Cheaper Than Grid” Solar Electricity – CleanTechnica said...

[...] one, utilities adhere to archaic limits on local power generation that can severely curtail the expansion of residential and commercial rooftop solar power. For [...]

Nov 19, 2012

Preparing For “Cheaper Than Grid” Solar Electricity – Cleantech Reporter said...

[...] one, utilities adhere to archaic limits on local power generation that can severely curtail the expansion of residential and commercial rooftop solar power. For [...]

Nov 20, 2012

Preparing for 'cheaper than grid' solar electricity : Renew Economy said...

[...] one, utilities adhere to archaic limits on local power generation that can severely curtail the expansion of residential and commercial rooftop solar power. For [...]

Nov 20, 2012

Get Ready, Utilities: Solar is Coming | Grist said...

[...] generation will have to change: net metering limits must rise, permitting must be simplified, archaic “15% rules” will have to be driven by data not [...]

Dec 10, 2012

Get Ready, Utilities: Solar Is Coming – CleanTechnica said...

[...] generation will have to change: net metering limits must rise, permitting must be simplified, archaic “15% rules” will have to be driven by data not [...]

Dec 10, 2012

Get Ready, Utilities: Solar is Coming | EU Solar Systems said...

[...] generation will have to change: net metering limits must rise, permitting must be simplified, archaic “15% rules” will have to be driven by data not [...]

Dec 11, 2012

Get ready utilities, solar is coming : Renew Economy said...

[...] generation will have to change: net metering limits must rise, permitting must be simplified, archaic “15% rules” will have to be driven by data not [...]

Dec 17, 2012