Why Aren't Southern Utilities Jumping into the Solar Business?

The debate over how rooftop solar panels can be paid for in some Southeastern states will stay around until the laws change to something utilities and solar advocates can live with. That may take a while.

In the meantime, private solar companies in states including Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina cannot finance solar systems and sell that electricity to a homeowner or business at a fixed rate.

Solar advocates, especially the private companies that have made this third-party business model popular, say this is a major barrier to rooftop solar flourishing in the Southeast.  In more than 20 states, residents and businesses can finance those solar systems in a way that alleviates those upfront costs and also allows the recipients to receive federal tax credits.

Why Aren't Southern Utilities Jumping into the Solar Business?