While the Alliance and many solar advocates voiced disappointment with yesterday’s ruling allowing Idaho Power to create a new customer class, there is still strong consumer interest in affordable solar in Idaho.

“The Idaho Public Utilities Commission clearly didn’t listen to the hundreds of people who testified in support of solar. Idaho Power will now be allowed to set up a new rate class without telling those in it what their future rates will be. Luckily, they didn’t get permission to actually raise rates on solar users at this time and will have to come back to the IPUC down the road,” said Wendy Wilson, executive director of the Snake River Alliance.

The ruling didn’t go our way, but it requires a lot of additional studies — all we know is eventually rates will change for solar customers —  they could go up or down. In the meantime, people are rushing to install solar this year because the cost of panels is still low and the 30% federal tax credit is still in place.”