Residents who are approached by anyone asking to see their utility bills should exercise caution in sharing that information and realize the request may be a sales tactic for rooftop solar packages. The Los Alamos Customer Care Center has received several reports of people going door-to-door requesting utility details and, in some cases, implying that citizens must replace their electric service with carbon-free service by a certain date.
Management at the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) would like to remind community members that DPU does not require customers to replace their electric service with carbon free options. While the DPU has a goal to be a net carbon neutral electric provider by 2040, that goal is not the responsibility of the customer. DPU has a broad mix of energy resources that currently includes carbon-free energy from hydroelectric plants, solar and wind.
“We do have customers with photovoltaic (PV) systems on their rooftops, but it is not a requirement by DPU,” said Stephen Marez, deputy utility manager of electric distribution for DPU. “Some solar sales folks will insist that the return on investment for PV systems is quick and easy, and that’s simply not the case.”
Marez said that anyone wishing to invest in rooftop solar should consider the investment carefully. “Most of our customers with PV are investing in cleaner energy rather than seeking a financial benefit.”
If you are considering a solar project, visit DPU’s solar power installation webpage at ladpu.com/solar . If you require further information, please contact Mariano Montoya at 505.663.1828 or [email protected] .