Marion debates solar policy that would pay less than it charges

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Marion City Council members reviewed a proposed ordinance Monday that would set standards for customers with renewable energy systems.

The ordinance says the city would pay for excess energy produced by a customer’s generator, but it doesn’t specify the rate. Instead, the customer would be paid the average monthly cost of electricity the city purchased wholesale from Kansas Power Pool.

If the customer’s generators didn’t produce enough electricity for the customer’s needs, the customer would buy energy from the city at its higher retail rate.

“The city may, at its discretion, either pay the customer for excess energy … or calculate such payment and deduct from the customer’s bill as a credit,” the ordinance says.

The ordinance also sets requirements for installation and operation of a customer’s energy equipment.

Veterinarian Brendan Kraus, who installed a solar array at his Spur Ridge Vet Hospital, had a 2014 agreement with the city that the city would pay him its retail rate to buy his system’s excess energy.

The contract somehow got lost, and Spur Ridge was not receiving credit for excess electricity produced.

In 2023, city council members tried to get Kraus to sign a new agreement with terms similar to the proposed ordinance.

After two contentious meetings, the city agreed to restore Kraus’ original agreement to be paid the city’s retail price for excess energy.

Kraus could not be reached for comment for this article.

Under the proposed ordinance, interconnection equipment would need to comply with city requirements and be installed at the expense of the customer.

Mitch Carlson, who owns Carlsons’ Grocery along with his brother, Greg, said he and Greg earlier discussed installing a solar array for their Main St. store.

The brothers didn’t expect the solar array to take care of all the store’s electricity needs but to defray part of the electricity they purchase.

The brothers talked to city officials about installing solar power, but when federal funding went away, they decided not to do the project.

Now that funding is again available, Mitch said, they are contemplating proceeding with the project.

Council members could vote on the ordinance as early as Monday.