For Immediate Release
Contact Heidi Schoen: 314.677.4076
July 15, 2013
STATE SOLAR INDUSTRY GROUP REQUESTS AUDIT OF REBATE PAYMENTS
July 15, 2013 – St. Louis, MO – In a filing on Friday, the Missouri Solar Energy Industry Association (MOSEIA) requested the Missouri Public Service Commission to investigate what appear to be excessive and improper payments by Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) to a solar installation company, U.S. Solar. For a time, it appears KCP&L was mailing solar rebate checks directly to the installer rather than to the account holders, an unusual action that has not been taken with other installers.
MOSEIA received an ethics violation complaint filed by a customer of U.S. Solar regarding a May 2012 installation in St. Joseph, Missouri. After a thorough review of the complaint and affording due process to the company, MOSEIA expelled the installer on March 20, 2013. MOSEIA then notified KCP&L in writing on June 3, 2013, requesting “KCP&L take immediate action and review the applications that they (U.S. Solar) have filed and verify that they are accurate and properly describe the installed systems.”
Since the June 3rd request, MOSEIA has not received a reply from KCP&L concerning what action, if any, it has taken with regard to the apparent excessive and improper payments.
“Based on the information we have available, we strongly believe the Missouri Public Service Commission should conduct an independent audit,” said Heidi Schoen, MOSEIA’s Executive Director. Schoen added, “In the event there have been improper payments made, we also believe that such payments should not be included in KCP&L’s calculation of any retail cap.”
About MOSEIA
MOSEIA is a non profit trade organization representing in-state and national solar businesses and other non profit entities dedicated to strengthening and expanding the solar industry and establishing a sustainable energy future for all Missourians. The Board of Directors and members are comprised of solar designers, developers, installers, community colleges with solar training programs and distributors and manufactures. MOSEIA is a 70+ member organization, and currently conducts conferences and training in Missouri to advance the solar industry, and advocates for sensible solar policy for the state of Missouri.
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Further Reading
Missouri Solar Energy Industry Association Responds to Utility Efforts