Top Ten Reasons to Support
Distributed Generation Policy
- Job Creation By opening grid access and providing for long term power purchase agreements for solar, wind and hydro-electric systems, and other renewable energy sources, we create thousands of jobs across Arkansas. We have an underemployed labor force that can be trained to do renewable energy installations.
- Local Energy Generation Creating electricity where it is consumed is the most sustainable option. Democratizing energy generation stimulates the economy and raises the standard of living.
- Lowest Cost Option Solar electric system owners invest their own money to install, insure, and maintain systems. No increase in retail electric rates resulting from an increased use of solar electric systems are expected. Modular solar arrays are grown one panel at a time; from one or two panels to a full solar array to power a small community.
- Sustainable Each system owner enters into a long term contract with utility to purchase total generation from their renewable energy installation. Only the generation of electricity is rewarded. Everyone benefits from clean energy.
- Efficient Structure Distributed Generation only requires a meter between the electricity created and the utility.
- Diversification Arkansas currently generates 60% of the electricity we use with coal from out of state suppliers. Extracting, shipping and combusting coal sends Arkansas ratepayer dollars out of state while polluting air and water. Solar electric systems are simple and capable of being up and running in days, weeks, and months.
- Long Term Contracts We pay for all of our current electricity generation sources over the long term. Typical payments periods are for 30 years or more. Distributed generation policy will allow the same for renewable energy developers.
- Reliability Developing a true mix of energy generation technologies increases the reliability of existing grid infrastructure. Solar PV creates energy when needed most, and where needed most, lowering stress on grid and lowering peak demand expenses.
- Energy Security Spreading our energy generation around in a micro grid fashion lowers the impact of unforeseen disasters and creates a more secure infrastructure less susceptible to sabotage or attack.
- Effective Ramping up renewable energy generation will occur rapidly with the right policies.