ATLANTA — A pair of national trade organizations raised concerns Thursday that Georgia Power Co. customers’ electricity payments could fund its ability to squash competitors in the solar-installation market.
The issue for consumers is twofold. On one hand, they could pay more than necessary for conventional electricity to support Georgia Power’s installers. And on the other, such financial backing could keep competing companies from driving down installation prices.
One of the groups is even airing commercials featuring former Arizona Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr.
But Georgia Power and the regulators who’s advocated for solar power the longest both say the utility will compete for installation business fair and square.
“We can’t take ratepayer’s money and cross subsidize for the power company,” said Public Service Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald.
He notes that the commission that regulates Georgia Power’s generation and distribution of electricity gave the company permission to enter the business of installing solar panels on the rooftops of homes, churches and small businesses under a new law that takes effect July 1. That law also opens the door to independent companies that will finance the installations,
which can run to thousands of dollars.
Georgia Power spokesman Jacob Hawkins wouldn’t give specifics other than to deny any reliance on its existing electricity users.
“We will announce specific details of our solar program by July 1. It will be administered by an unregulated business unit and will not be subsidized by customers,” he said.
The commission hasn’t seen any details yet either.
Still, the installer organizations are concerned because the utility’s executives have said they don’t want to give up market share.
“That, coupled with what Georgia Power’s recent interest in solar, at least raises a red flag. They should answer the question of how they are going to do this,” said Tyson Grinsted of the San Francisco-based residential installer Sunrun and a spokesman for The Alliance for Solar Choice.
Mike Scerbo, spokesman for the other group, Tell Utilities Solar won’t be Killed or TUSK, doesn’t have specific evidence to point to either.
“It’s not that we’re just wildly speculating. We’ve seen this in other states over and over again,” he said.