What is Pennsylvania's AEPS Act?

Laws are not followed just because they're on the books. Companies, governments, and individuals often ignore laws. They do what they like until someone challenges their conduct. In fact, companies may implement their own arbitrary rules and do so with impunity for long periods. That, it seems, is what PPL Electric has been doing in Pennsylvania -- ignoring and evading the terms of the AEPS Act.

In 2010, the Company implemented a practice of restricting virtual meter aggregation. (See blog for April 26). Under this PPL restriction, the Company refuses to approve PV solar systems for virtual metering if they are built in new locations (green fields). In other words, the only sites that are acceptable are those locations where a transformer, meter, and electric service already exist. In short, the Company will gladly approve thousands of shady sites which have existing electric service, and thousands of open, sunny locations will be rejected because no one's using electricity there.

This restriction is an affront to reason and to the law itself. Under the law's provisions, solar panels may be installed within two miles of the location where electricity is required. Obviously, the first requirement for solar panels is optimal sunlight. PPL's practice is a twisted irony, puts a leash on solar generation, and makes a mockery of the law.

If you'd like to read the law's provisions for net metering, here's the website:

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/052/chapter75/chap75toc.html

Have a sunny day!!