### Understanding Arizona’s Grid Access Charge: What It Means for Solar Customers
When it comes to powering your home with solar energy, Arizona has long been a key player in the rooftop solar industry. But recent developments, like the approval of the Grid Access Charge (GAC), may have homeowners wondering what this means for their solar panels and energy savings. As someone who has been immersed in the solar industry for years, I want to help demystify this issue and explain how these changes could impact homeowners who are considering solar panels for their home.
#### **What is the Grid Access Charge?**
In a landmark decision, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved a Grid Access Charge for rooftop solar customers. This new fee ranges from $2 to $3 per month, though utility providers, like Arizona Public Service (APS), had initially pushed for charges as high as $88 per month. The ACC stated that the fee could increase in future rate cases, with the next reevaluation planned for 2025.
The rationale behind this fee centers on the notion that rooftop solar customers use the energy grid—essentially tapping into it as a “battery” when their solar array for home use isn’t generating enough electricity. Proponents of the fee argue that
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/12/19/arizona-rooftop-solar-customers-will-have-a-monthly-fee-added-to-their-bills-in-2025/
