For many of us, November 3 was a date we were excited to have come and go. As a political wonk, often times Election Day has been referred to as my Olympics. And as of this morning, two-days post-election, we are still awaiting the Presidential outcome, Arizona has a new Arizona State Senator, and a flip of the Arizona State House of Representatives to blue appears to not have happened. 

This week, the Arizona Corporation Commission heard UNS, TEP and APS’s application for a revised Rate Rider Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP). The RCP is a proxy for the avoided cost of providing electrical service that results when a distributed generator exports power to the grid. An RCP rate is determined for each tranche of new Distributed Generation customer effective October 1 of each year without prorations. Additionally, as established in the Value and Cost of Distributed Generation, the RCP rate may not be reduced by more than 10 percent each year. 

Dear members,

AriSEIA will be hosting a virtual discussion on the Interconnection of Distributed Generation Facilities on August 27, 2020 at 2:00 pm. This is a member only engagement designed to solicit input and discuss issues related to the utilities’ released Interconnection Manual filings. These Manuals will have a large impact on the day to day operations of solar installers, and we are seeking input from members on complications with interconnection that may be solved in the manuals.  

Last week, Arizona held their Primary Elections. As suspected, a number of elections were determined in the race, but there were also some surprises and upsets. After all the ballots were counted, two incumbents in the Senate and one incumbent in the House will not be returning. 

I wanted to provide a quick update on the legislative session. On May 26, 2020 the Fifty-fourth Legislature – Second Regular Session adjourned Sine Die at 11:21 am. The total days of session were 135 days, 1,607 bills were introduced, 90 were passed by the legislature, as to date zero bills have been vetoed and 58 bills have been signed by Governor Doug Ducey.
 
By way of background, the legislature adjourned on March 23, 2020, as a result of increased concerns related to COVID-19. The initial adjournment was to run until April 15, 2020, but with the governors Stay Home – Stay Safe Executive Order, the adjournment was extended until April 30, 2020. 

​Uncertainty is a word we're all familiar with in our current times. As a trade association, we represent our members' interests at all levels of government. As our parent organization SEIA continues to fight for efforts at the national level, we need to remember this is a united effort. 

In honor of Earth Day, SEIA requested that we continue to urge Congress to take swift action to stem the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and to support the recovery and growth of the solar industry while advancing the critical principles of Earth Day. Though Earth Day has officially come and gone, the need to advance the message still remains. Please tell your member of Congress that we must #SaveSolarJobs from COVID-19 in order to protect the economy and our 250,000 American solar workers, while continuing the fight against climate change. Here's the April SEIA COVID Fact Sheet for more information. 

​The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic candidate to serve as Executive Director. AriSEIA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association representing the solar and storage industry, solar-friendly businesses, and others interested in advancing solar and storage technologies in Arizona. The group's focus is on education, professionalism and promotion of public policies that support deployment of solar technologies and renewable energy job growth and creation.