Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Net Metering topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge Radford leaders to restore annual net metering as staff works on policy
Summary
Homeowners criticized a recent change to Radford’s net‑metering practice, saying the city shifted from annual to monthly banking of rooftop solar credits without a board‑approved policy; city manager says staff will craft a balanced policy and noted an estimated $25 monthly grid-maintenance cost per customer.
Homeowners and solar system owners told Radford City Council they felt blindsided when the city moved from annual to monthly net metering, a change they say was made without a board‑approved policy or broad public notice.
"Who made the decision to change the net metering process from yearly to monthly?" asked Steve Fry, a Radford resident who said he and his wife have owned a home solar system for roughly 10 years. Fry urged council to "direct the administration to return to a yearly net metering policy" until the council approves a comprehensive policy that includes public input.
Fred Singer, another resident who described his own rooftop solar investment, said the change "will discourage anyone else from getting solar arrays" and risked marking Radford as unsupportive of environmental initiatives.
City Manager Todd Meredith responded that staff had sent an explanatory message to solar customers that evening and is developing a formal policy. Meredith said the municipal utility estimates a typical customer should be paying about $25 a month toward grid maintenance and that the new charges reflect efforts to ensure the electric utility fund remains fiscally stable. "We are working on a policy that will promote [solar] and ensure the fiscal stability of the electric utility fund," he said.
Councilors thanked speakers and acknowledged the issue's complexity. No action was taken that night; council members said staff will return with a proposed policy for council consideration and public input.
Next steps: council asked administration to draft a formal net‑metering policy, allow for public comment, and bring the matter back for a future meeting. The council did not adopt or vote on a net‑metering ordinance or rate change during this session.
