Being environmentally conscious is a drawback for Arizonans. Having investigated the possibility of installing solar panels on my home in Tempe, I have discovered a subtle and deliberate series of actions that seriously tarnish the opportunities for adding solar power to my home. Two major utilities service the electrical needs in central Arizona. Electricity is provided by the Salt River Project (SRP) and the Arizona Public Service (APS).
SRP works to discourage the installation of solar panels on homes by charging higher rates to homes with solar panels. APS managed to get a special surcharge passed through the Arizona Corporation Commission so that homes with solar panels pay extra for having them.
The rate structure of SRP prevents homeowners from leasing solar panels from the companies who provide such services because those companies will not deal with SRP.
Only by getting these anti-solar regulations overturned can the average homeowner solarize his/her home. Those with much greater financial resources can purchase sufficient solar panels and storage capacity to go off-grid and not deal with the utilities.