Appalachian Power seeks solar “standby” charge

Virginia’s second-largest electric utility wants permission to levy a charge on residential customers who produce their own power but remain connected to the grid. If regulators approve the proposed “standby” charge, ratepayers who own systems between 10 and 20 kilowatts would be targeted with a $3.77 per kW monthly fee, potentially raising their annual energy costs by hundreds of dollars. A State Corporation Commission hearing on the matter was held Sept.16.