Comments on: First Draft of Decatur’s Environmental Sustainability Plan Now Online

By: Bub

Bub — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:01:32 +0000

Georgia actually has it pretty good compared to a lot of states in regards to selling excess generation from solar panels, etc. http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2001_02/fulltext/sb93.htm

The idea of starting a municipal utility appears to be a bit misdirected. It would seem to me that there are many more economical ways to promote clean energy than taking on the burden of becoming a small utility.

As long as we’re thinking crazy-outside-the-box to support clean energy, why don’t we become an independent power producer and put a miniature nuclear reactor in town? http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/nuclear/4273386

By: KC Boyce

KC Boyce — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:07:40 +0000

Yes, indeed it could. There’s a lot of work to be done in establishing a municipal electric utility (and it may not end up being the best way to go for the City, FWIW), but one of the rationales for doing so is that a muni utility could establish PV power purchase agreements, feed-in tariffs, and/or a renewable portfolio standard.

With any one of these mechanisms, there are additional details that would need to be addressed, including how to balance any policy goals (such as the incorporation of more clean energy in Decatur’s electric generation mix) with maintaining affordable rates. It’s not an insurmountable problem, just one that takes some work…

By: unclecharlie

unclecharlie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:52:29 +0000

I haven’t read the details but my primary interest in this plan would be in whether a municipal electric utility could purchase excess solar power from residents if they instal pvc panels, independent of GA Power. GA Power has a purchase plan but they limit the number of customers they will buy from.

As a state we get a terrible grade for return on investment in solar panels. (Solar report card: http://solarpowerrocks.com/reports/spr-report-card-2010-part-1-state-by-state-solar-energy-roi/ )
Could a local utility improve that?