A very interesting idea. Slightly paranoid (no offense intended); yet these are strange times at the top of the oil curve; and therefore is at least worth considering.

Which brings me to a decision we are trying to make here at the solar powered Podrock home. The local utility, in order to fulfill the requirements of our new state law for utilities to utilize a certain percentage of solar power, will be making a one time, 20 year offer to buy our "solar credits". What the hell does this mean? It means that while the solar array and inverters are ours, the electricity produced is theirs. As far as I am concerned, that electricity is ours until it hits the meter on the way to the grid - what we don't use they can buy, at a one-to-one rate, tariff free.

What if I say no? It is a sizable chunk o' change they are offering. But I cannot in the future claim that our house is solar powered. I can say it has a solar system, that's it. What if another utility offered more for my solar credits, even if they are several states away? Then I'd probably have to pay a tariff, which would offset the better offer. If I don't sell the credits, I can see them charging me a tariff to buy the electricity from me. I'm in contact with some of those negotiating all this stuff, and I gotta tell you, it's more complicated than you can imagine.

So, in some ways there is govermental control (Colorado's ammendment 37 and the PUC), corporation control (The Utility Company), and small companies and individuals all bargining for the electricity produced when the sun shines on our roof.

Energy is a commodity. We invested in a solar system to collect it, and use it, and the left-overs we should be able to sell to the highest bidder. If only it were that easy. We've only one bidder and they want an exclusive contract for twenty years. Not the kind of business I like to do.

All commerce is complicated, and one must be wary.