Proposed law in Pa. to mandate solar power

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 27 (UPI) -- The Pennsylvania Legislature may soon increase its solar power mandate for utilities.

Lawmakers are working on legislative action that would mandate a 1,250 percent increase in the solar requirements provided by electric utilities over the next 15 years.

The proposed legislation is raising alarm bells for some in the energy sector. The estimated price tag for the additional requirement for power distribution companies could conservatively increase generation costs by $172 million and up to as much as $426 million, according to some industry analysts.

"While we laud the Legislature and governor for looking at greener energy solutions," said Michael Love, president of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, an energy industry trade group representing electric companies, "unfortunately, right now their efforts are very costly to today's rate payers."

A study by the Energy Association of Pennsylvania found that using the current price being paid for solar in New Jersey, 22 cents per kilowatt hour, would increase generation rates by an additional $172 million. Current generation costs, using existing energy sources, are in the range of 4 to 7 cents per kilowatt hour.

"The cost of solar energy, at this point in time, is the most costly energy source we have," Love said. "If our government wishes to increase the solar energy generation resources, then the government must commit to greater utilization of solar in its own facilities to help grow this emerging technology."