Arizona opinion: BYOD program is a win for solar customers and the grid

and analysis of the writer:

The Arizona Corporation Commission’s decision to approve Arizona Public Service’s (APS) “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) program marks a significant milestone for solar energy in Arizona. This innovative program represents a critical step forward in modernizing our electrical grid while providing tangible benefits to solar customers across the state.

For years, Solar United Neighbors of Arizona (SUN AZ) has advocated for policies that recognize the true value of distributed solar energy and battery storage. The BYOD program does exactly that — by allowing residential customers with battery storage systems to provide excess power back to the grid, reducing stress on our power system which benefits all ratepayers. This program fundamentally shifts the relationship between utilities and customers from a one-way power delivery model to a collaborative partnership that harnesses the potential of customer-owned energy resources.

Under the BYOD program, homeowners with battery systems can now receive compensation for allowing their utility to draw power during peak demand periods. This program will provide extra financial incentives for those who have invested in solar paired with batteries and also help stabilize the grid during times of high electricity use. By tapping into these distributed energy resources, utilities can reduce the need for expensive peaker plants that sit idle most of the year, ultimately saving money for all customers.

For Arizona homeowners considering solar and storage, the BYOD program provides an additional value stream that improves the economics of these systems. When combined with existing federal tax credits, this program helps offset the upfront investment in these technologies. The long-term value proposition for home energy independence continues to strengthen.

The program also represents a forward-thinking approach to grid resilience. As Arizona faces increasingly punishing summer heat waves that regularly push temperatures beyond 115 degrees, our electrical grid faces unprecedented strain. These record-breaking temperatures, combined with rapid population growth and expanding electricity demands, increase the risk of potential outages, putting ratepayers at risk. A distributed network of battery systems creates the redundancy and flexibility that a centralized system simply cannot match when these extreme conditions strike. Each participating home becomes a node in a more resilient, responsive grid.

The commission’s approval of the BYOD program demonstrates that solar energy policies need not be partisan or divisive. This program creates economic opportunities and enhances grid resilience — objectives that Arizonans across the political spectrum can support.

As we look to the future, APS’ BYOD program should be just the beginning. The pilot program approved today has a participation cap of 5,000 battery storage systems. Our hope is that, following successful implementation of this first round, the program will be eventually expanded to serve more ratepayers in the coming years. Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is currently considering implementing their own BYOD program. Moving forward, we’ll be encouraging the Commission and other Arizona utilities to work to bring this kind of program to more Arizonans, which will only serve to strengthen our state’s grid further. The BYOD program approval demonstrates what’s possible when policymakers, utilities, and advocates work together toward a common goal. At SUN AZ, we’re proud to have been part of this effort and remain committed to ensuring that Arizonans have access to an equitable energy system that directs control and benefits back to local communities, with solar on every roof and money in every pocket.