Poll: Ariz., Republicans back solar
Survey also found majority of state voters less likely to back ‘net metering’ opponents
Anew poll financed by California-based SolarCity Corp. and Sunrun indicates that not only is solar energy popular with Arizonans in general, it also is heavily favored by Republicans.
The poll findings were released by a group called TUSK — Tell Utilities Solar won’t be Killed — which has formed to support the industry in Arizona.
TUSK promotes a program called “net metering” at Arizona Public Service Co. TUSK members include SolarCity, Sunrun, banks and other parties, according to Jason Rose, the group’s public-relations representative.
Rooftop solar panels send their electricity to the home or business they are on, but if that property is not using enough electricity to take it all, the excess power goes to the grid. APS, like many utilities, pays customers for the electricity that their panels send to the power grid. Those customers mostly send power to the grid in the daytime, when their solar panels make electricity. At night their buildings draw power from the utility. They are billed on the “net” amount of electricity used.
ENERGY
APS has proposed changing the amount of money credited to customers for the electricity sent to the grid. TUSK is opposed to eliminating or reducing the credits. The Arizona Corporation Commission, five elected officials who regulate utilities, have a pending decision on the matter.
The poll showed that when asked what energy source people would most encourage in Arizona, 52 percent replied solar. That percentage dropped to 40 percent among Republican primary voters, and still was the heavy favorite ahead of natural gas, nuclear and other power sources.
The poll also showed that 75 percent of voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to end the solar power program in Arizona. That number fell to 60 percent among Republicans.
The March poll was conducted with 400 likely voters, with an additional sample of 327 likely Republican primary voters. It has a margin of error of about 5 percentage points, with an error margin of 5.4 percentage points for Republicans because of the slightly smaller sample.