Local Boise artist Hawk Sahlein made the decision to install solar panels on his home in December 2023, hoping to build equity in his home and promote clean energy. However, his excitement has turned sour after Idaho Power proposed to decrease the credit it gives to non-legacy rooftop solar owners, impacting Sahlein and 13,700 other customers. The proposed changes have sparked backlash from solar advocates and owners, who argue that Idaho Power is trying to skew rates in its favor. The export credit rate, which determines how much customers are credited for excess energy sent back to the grid, is set to decrease significantly under the new program. Idaho Power spokesperson Jordan Rodriguez defended the proposed changes, stating that the new rates are based on lower energy market prices in 2024. He emphasized the importance of ensuring fair market prices for the energy received, noting that on-site generation is not sufficient to meet all of the company’s needs. The changes would affect residents without legacy status, as well as certain commercial and industrial customers who installed systems after specific dates. Feedback on the proposed changes can be left on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s website before a decision is made before June 1.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
