Quote:
Originally Posted by VincentVega
I thought deregulation was supposed to lower our bills?  Cool thing is we can choose our power supplier, I should start saving ~10% next month. |
What deregulation?
I'm not tuned into the MD market, but California is incredibly regulated. Virtually every generator, turbine, etc, has a California CARB version. The state is now decertifying old units which means even backup generators are being replaced!
If you make electricty (Solar, Wind, etc), the utility is forced to buy your excess electricty at the same rate as you would buy it. This actually increases the costs for other consumers in California.
One of the guys on the board and I were chatting about electric rates. California has progressive tiers for electricty rates. 0 to X, you pay A cents per kWh. X to Y, you pay B cents per kWh. Y to Z, you pay C cents per kWh. Over Z, you pay D. Wit this gentleman, the "D" rate was $0.32kWh! I pay $0.089 and it should go lower in 2 months.
For California, with all of the incentives and the ability to wipe out the higher end electricty tiers, it make sense to buy Solar Panels.