Solar Power "Strap" or Sustainable Solution? Northport Attorney Challenges Alabama Power Rates ​

By Staff Writer March 22, 2026

​NORTHPORT, AL — A formal complaint filed with the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) on March 16, 2026, has pulled back the curtain on the financial realities facing solar-equipped businesses in the state. J. Paul Whitehurst, a local attorney who has been a customer of Alabama Power for over 40 years, is alleging that the current rate structure is not only unreasonable but fundamentally "unjust."

​The filing outlines a frustrating saga that began with a 2023 solar installation intended to offset energy costs and contribute excess power to the grid. Instead, the Whitehursts claim they found themselves trapped by "standby power" fees that effectively erased the value of their contributions.

​The Math of "Unjust" Rates

​The heart of the complaint lies in the staggering disparity between the power generated and the costs incurred. According to the document:

• ​Excess Generation: From October 2023 through February 2026, the Whitehursts sold 21,548 kWh of electricity to Alabama Power.

• ​Zero Credit: Despite providing nearly ten times the electricity they purchased, the couple received no payment, as the utility reportedly used standby fees to offset the entire balance.

• ​Effective Cost: While the average resident pays a fraction of the cost, the Whitehursts’ effective rate for electricity purchased reached as high as $3.19 per kWh by early 2026.

  
  

​The complaint cites Ala. Code (1975), which mandates that utility rates remain "reasonable and just." The petitioners argue that Alabama Power has profited by over $7,200 from their solar energy while still demanding payment for the minimal grid power used.

​A Call for Action

​After failed attempts to resolve the matter directly with Alabama Power, the Whitehursts are asking the PSC to step in. They are requesting a prospective and retroactive adjustment of rates to October 2023, along with a refund for what they categorize as overpayments.

​As Alabama continues to navigate the transition toward renewable energy, this case may serve as a critical bellwether for how the state’s Public Service Commission balances the interests of major utilities against the rights of independent solar producers.

Northport attorney J. Paul Whitehurst files a formal complaint with the Alabama PSC, alleging Alabama Power's solar rate structure is "unjust" after being charged effective rates as high as $3.19 per kWh despite massive solar contributions.

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