Sets standard for solar power

In a recent issue of a national magazine (Time, Sept. 29, 2014) Michael Grunwald wrote about how solar power production by home owners and businesses is being looked upon as a threat by some big power producing utilities. And he makes the point that when this electrical production is tied into the grid, as it is in Snohomish County, everyone benefits. He states, “We don’t need to fire our utilities. We need to fix the utility business.”

Snohomish County PUD is way ahead of his recommendation. I am told that Snohomish County is the friendliest county in the United States toward individual homeowner and business installation of solar power. The PUD will install a net meter interconnection that will automatically send power out to the grid when it is in excess of the solar installations’ local use, recording this by running the meter backward. In effect then, the grid acts like a battery for the homeowner as it sends excess power to other parts of the grid and supplies power when the sun is not shining.

The PUD not only welcomes solar installations but pays incentives to the owner. These, along with generous production incentives for solar power production paid by the state of Washington, makes the installations with grid connection very good for solar power producers in Snohomish County.

Richard Guthrie

Snohomish