FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – June 16, 2026 – The Arizona Court of Appeals has vacated the Arizona Corporation Commission's decision approving Arizona Public Service's (APS) solar-specific charges, including the Grid Access Charge (GAC) and the Legacy Solar Rate Increase (LSRI), marking a significant victory for Arizona's rooftop solar customers and the rule of law.

The Court concluded that the Commission's decision cannot stand and remanded the matter for further proceedings after finding that the process used to adopt the charges deprived affected parties of a meaningful opportunity to challenge them.

Importantly, the Court recognized that APS never proposed the solar-specific charges in its rate application and instead sought a uniform residential rate increase. The solar charges were introduced only after the evidentiary record had closed, leaving customers and stakeholders without an opportunity to fully address the proposal.

"This decision confirms what AriSEIA has argued from the beginning: Arizona's rooftop solar customers should not be singled out for discriminatory charges that were never properly proposed or supported," said Autumn Johnson, Executive Director of AriSEIA. "The Court has now vacated those charges, and the Commission should act quickly to eliminate both the Grid Access Charge and the Legacy Solar Rate Increase in the pending APS rate case."

The Commission itself previously found that APS had not demonstrated that rooftop solar customers impose unique costs warranting separate treatment. In this appeal, the Court further recognized that APS did not seek approval of the solar charges in the underlying case and that affected parties lacked meaningful notice that such charges were under consideration.

Rather than continue to defend charges that have now been vacated by the Court of Appeals, AriSEIA urges the Arizona Corporation Commission to use the ongoing APS rate case to permanently eliminate the use of a site load cost of service study and the GAC and LSRI and restore a fair, transparent, and evidence-based approach to ratemaking.

"The Commission has an opportunity to put this issue behind it," Johnson said. "Arizona should encourage customer investment in rooftop solar, not burden it with unlawful and discriminatory charges that have now been rejected by the courts."

For more than four years, AriSEIA has worked alongside its members, national partners, fellow appellants, and Arizona solar customers to challenge these charges and advocate for policies that are lawful, transparent, and support customer choice.

About AriSEIA
The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association representing the solar, storage, and electrification industry. AriSEIA's mission is to develop and support policies that create opportunities to advance Arizona's economy through solar energy, storage, and electrification. AriSEIA advocates for sustainable job creation in the deployment of solar and complementary technologies and collaborates with stakeholders to encourage utilization of Arizona's greatest natural resource: the sun.
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Media Contact
Autumn Johnson
520-240-4757
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Autumn Johnson
520-240-4757
[email protected]

Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) which represents solar, storage, and electrification across the Grand Canyon state, has elected Jaclyn Cerna, Director of Estimating & Quoting and Controller at OMCO Solar, as its new Board President. AriSEIA develops and advocates for policies that promote economic development, energy reliability, and sustainable growth across Arizona’s renewable energy sector.

Cerna brings a strong background in financial leadership and renewable energy project execution. She oversees financial and accounting operations for OMCO’s solar division headquartered in Phoenix, as well as leads nationwide solar project bidding efforts, working closely with engineering to develop competitive proposals across diverse markets including DG and Utility Scale.

“I am honored to serve as President of AriSEIA and support the organization’s advocacy work of advancing Solar technology in Arizona. Our mission is clear: to collaborate with stakeholders across the state to unlock the full potential of Arizona’s greatest natural resource and build a more resilient and electrified economy for all Arizonans,” said Cerna.

Cerna succeeds former Board President John Mitman, Founder & CEO of Obodo Energy, who has served in a leadership role for AriSEIA the better part of this past decade.

“It was my pleasure to help lead AriSEIA during a period of significant growth and change for Arizona’s solar industry. Jaclyn brings exceptional leadership capabilities, industry expertise, and a collaborative spirit that will serve the organization and its members well as the clean energy transition continues to accelerate,” said Mitman.

“Jaclyn has been an outstanding member of the AriSEIA board and brings both financial expertise and deep industry experience to the role. We are excited to have her leadership as the organization continues working to expand solar, storage, and electrification across Arizona,” said Autumn Johnson, Executive Director of AriSEIA.

Jaclyn earned a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Accounting, from Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. With valuable experience in Arizona’s renewable energy sector, this gives her the strong foundation to lead AriSEIA as the state’s clean energy industry continues to grow.

For more information about AriSEIA, visit ariseia.org.

About AriSEIA
The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) is Arizona’s solar, storage, and electrification trade association. AriSEIA represents installers, manufacturers, developers, financiers, and service providers working to advance renewable energy across the state. The organization advocates for policies that expand clean energy deployment, strengthen Arizona’s economy, and ensure reliable, affordable energy for Arizona families and businesses.

About OMCO Solar
OMCO Solar is America's premier factory-direct manufacturer of solar trackers and fixed-tilt solutions for solar projects. The company's expertise in fixed-tilt and single-axis tracker systems stems from decades of steel manufacturing, beginning in 1955 when OMCO Holdings, its parent company, was founded. To date, OMCO Solar has delivered over 12 GW of factory-direct, high-quality solar mounting structures within the US. With a manufacturing footprint spanning coast-to-coast, the company delivers their American-made solar structures built from 100% US steel to developers nationwide. For more information, please visit OMCO Solar at omcosolar.com.

About Obodo Energy
Obodo Energy is an energy and power systems contractor led by an experienced team with national recognition for delivering landmark projects. The company partners with its customers to reduce operating expenses and improve on-site infrastructure through a combination of cutting-edge energy solutions and in-house capabilities to ensure quality control and efficiency.