FTC Workshop Examines Competition And Consumer Protection Issues In Rooftop Solar Industry

On June 21, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a workshop to examine competition and consumer protection issues in the rooftop solar industry—also known as solar "distributed generation." Beyond exploring a wide range of issues related to rate design, competition and state net metering policies, the workshop signaled a growing interest among federal and state regulators to address—potentially through the issuance of binding regulations—perceived consumer protection challenges in the industry.

The Role of the FTC and the States in Promoting Competition and Consumer Protection in the Rooftop Solar Industry

A key issue being debated by stakeholders is the role of the FTC in promoting competition and consumer protection in the rooftop solar industry, and how that role might affect actions taken by state regulatory authorities (such as state public utility commissions) in the same area.