Illinois electric rate payers have
deposited $53 million into a fund to finance solar power panel construction in
the state, but problems with the renewable energy legislation have left the
cash sitting in the bank. Oak Park Senator Don Harmon will introduce a bill in
the next session to remove the restriction against disbursement of the money to
property owners putting up solar panels unless Ameren or Com Ed is actually
purchasing power from the panel owners.
Because
so many customers have switched away from Com Ed and Ameren to lower cost power
providers, the two major utilities are not buying solar power, and solar power
development in the state lags far behind other Midwestern low sunshine states
with low electric rates.
