Solar power is the most popular form of sustainable energy generation. More Americans than ever are looking for ways they can use it as a power source. Around 46% of Americans claim to have looked at adding rooftop solar to their homes. Solar energy generation is certainly better for the environment than fossil fuels are. However, some energy companies aren't keen on allowing their customers to adopt it. Even though solar energy can be a net benefit to the energy grid, these companies are fighting to keep their customers from investing in solar. Read on to learn how energy companies try to maintain fossil fuel dependence. 

In an effort to hold on to revenue generated by retaining control of the power grid, energy companies employ billing practices that are unfriendly to consumers. Time-of-use (TOU) billing is one of the main ways they do this. With TOU billing, energy customers are charged more during peak times like the late afternoon and early evening. Traditionally, customers were charged a flat rate. This makes sense from a supply-and-demand perspective, as companies have to pay more upkeep costs during peak times. Many solar users are subject to this new billing arrangement. This forces them to reconfigure their residential solar panels to face westward if they want to save money during peak times. However, this is a sub-optimal set-up. South-facing panels garner more energy during the day. As a result, solar customers must choose between paying TOU rates or using a less efficient panel arrangement. 

Another way energy companies fight solar adoption is by lobbying members of the legislature. They form special interest groups to do this. These groups have significant sway over legislative bodies and make generous donations to energy companies. This results in governments passing laws that punish the use of solar power. These include unavoidable fixed charges for using solar and stripping incentives companies used to provide. Fortunately, companies like Blue Raven Solar work hard to help their customers save money on electric bills while adopting solar power. They can put incentives back into customers' wallets. 

On social media, astroturfing refers to the practice some groups employ to hide their intentions. In this instance, various anti-solar groups masquerade as members of the community. It makes it look like their cause has popular support. Astroturfing can have an insidious effect. Politicians can claim that they are working to support the people, but are really honoring the interests of utility companies. Then, these politicians approve legislation limiting or penalizing the use of solar power. 

Solar power is one the cleanest forms of alternative energy, but energy companies aren't willing to let customers adopt it so easily. They're incentivized to prohibit the switch to solar power. They invent new billing practices like TOU billing for using the energy grid at peak times. They also lobby government officials and use social media to manufacture popular opinions.