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The controversy surrounding solar surcharges is really heating up in the United States right now. Electric utility providers, as government-regulated services, are essentially federally sanctioned monopolies. Prior attempts to open up competition between utility providers have failed across the country. Today, power providers know that their heyday is potentially coming to an end. Meanwhile, they’re holding on by slapping solar users with surcharges to compensate for their antiquated business model. Surcharges and the Old Model of Utility Delivery Today, utility providers are private for-profit corporations or cooperatives, either publicly owned or municipal. Electricity is generated in a controlled market environment, where the government regulates supply and demand as well who can and can’t compete in the market. The industry design...

  How often were you without power this winter? A home generator is not only a convenience for your, but it sometimes can mean the difference between life and death. Winter weather is unpredictable — snow, ice, sleet, hail or high winds can all cause downed wires and power outages. Warm-weather months generally see fewer outages, but a powerful thunderstorm can still cut off electricity to homes and businesses. You are especially vulnerable if you live in a remote area, where fewer customers can be affected, making them a lower priority on the power company’s list. Threat of Cold A power outage can last from a few minutes to a few days, or in some severe cases, longer than a...