Added PV supply at times of highest electricity demand can also curb the use of expensive and polluting peak generators. Some utilities reject this proposition and posit contradictory claims of rooftop PV being a “free rider,” as they aim to block the rise of distributed solar and its impact on their revenue and profitability. Others accept its inevitability and are trying to shift their business models accordingly. For all involved, the need for a grid “commons” continues, so utilities, regulators, and stakeholders of all stripes are evolving approaches to cover that cost.
