Some worry PG&E's proposed new rates could hurt California's solar market-From $0.50 to $0.30/kWh

Silicon Valley Mercury News ^ | 4/4/2010 | Dana Hull

[Entrepreneur]

The solar industry lobbying in support of punitively high electric rates is tantamount to a hybrid carmaker lobbying for $10/gallon gasoline. Keep it up and they're going to generate a backlash against solar and all things green. In fact, I'm surprised they haven't already.

[avacado]

50 & 30 cents per kilowatt hour? I pay 11 cents per kilowatt hour here in Texas.

[vpintheak]

WOW! That cost is insane! And hurting the solar industry? Who gives a crap!!!!!!!!!! If it costs that much, it sure as crap isn’t worth it in any way shape or form.

[truthguy]

The solar industry lobbying in support of punitively high electric rates is tantamount to a hybrid car maker lobbying for $10/gallon gasoline. Keep it up and they're going to generate a backlash against solar and all things green. In fact, I'm surprised they haven't already.

Yes the media in California has fooled the public (knuckle dragging) into believing that solar and other so called green technologies can solve our energy problems. We have a buffoon governor who says the same things. What fools. As long as we have these idiots in either charge of government or popular culture, we aren't going to have any improvements in this area. $0.30/kilowatt hour will crush any manufacturing companies stupid enough to still be in operation in the state. It's almost like these green types are trying to promote a calamity.

[ltc8k6]

If 30 cents a kwh discourages solar, then solar is unsustainable.

[2banana]

Only in California would people complain when electric rates went down...

[dman4384]

30 and 50 cents per kwh is insane.

that is 3x and 5x times what I pay.

[twistedwrench]

.44 is winter rate, it will go above .50 Kwh in summer.

PG&E is also very Liberal in it’s political activities.

[Cicero]

In a free market economy, businesses favor their biggest customers. That used to be the case with power companies, which charged a base rate for everyone, and then so much per KWH above that. Because basically it costs as much to bring the wires to a small user and maintain them as it does to a bigger one.

Now, it’s the opposite. Good customers are penalized, and less profitable ones rewarded.

The market also rewarded large customers for saving power. They were charged less, but in proportion to the cost of servicing them. I started using energy saving bulbs and cost effective appliances very early, because I wanted to lower my power bills.

We have the same insanity here in Vermont. Small users are rewarded, and larger users are punished. This is especially hard on families with lots of kids living in the house.

But of course, that’s what they want. It’s not green to have kids.

[avacado]

That’s an amazing bill you posted. Thge more you use, the higher the price per Kwh. The more I use, here in Houston, TX, the less I pay per Kwh.

[Blennos]

Here with Duke Energy in NC, I pay approx 8 cents per KWH. They give me a special rate for having an all electric home. I can’t imagine having to cool this house in California.

[avacado]

8 cents! You are lucky!

[VideoDoctor]

I'm currently paying just under 10 cents per kilowatt hour.

No wonder Calif is collapsing financially.

[VideoDoctor]

I'm currently paying just under 10 cents per kilowatt hour.

No wonder Calif is collapsing financially.

[steve86]

5.78 cents per kWh here in south central WA State and seems too high.

[muleskinner]

Doesn't Duke have several Nuc plants? that's probably why your rates are inexpensive.

Pigs, Goats & Elephants has a mix of hydro, nuclear and natural gas. I think the problem is, with 30 million people in Calif., there are not enough power plants.

It used to be reasonable before a bunch of lib's moved here from around the country.

Actually, anyone who doesn't live here should be thankful for California - most of the nuts that would be YOUR neighbor have moved here. (I was born here)

[Reeses]

50 cents per kilowatt-hour

Someone can buy a used diesel generator and make their own electricity for half that, capital and maintenance costs included.

[Pessimist]

Yikes! 50 cents per kwh??!!

And people still have 5k sq ft homes?

[Penni]

We just received our PG&E bill for $355. Last month was $404. We’ve cut back as much as possible, use the heater quite sparingly and never use the AC. We welcome rate cuts... if the cuts are allowed we still have to wait until May 2011... Sigh.

[bray]

Solar energy is a fraud:
http://www.brayincandy.com/id208.html

Pray for America