In response to an order proposed by Arizona Corporation Commission Staff that would reject APS’s proposed 20-MW program to support customer-sited solar PV, APS recently filed a revised version of its initial plan. The revised proposal (Docket No. E-01345A-14-0250) is based on discussions that occurred during a November 14, 2014 ACC meeting which addressed the program’s cost relative to other options, and the need for the program under the state’s Renewable Energy Standard.

APS is now proposing a downsized, 10-MW program focused on the strategic installations of PV systems, west-oriented panels, the use of advanced inverters, and the use of competitive bidding to secure providers. Program costs would be recovered through normal base rates rather than through the RES charge. In addition, APS emphasized a commitment to ensuring “cost parity” between program participants and net metering customers.