300+ Solar Workers and Supporters Rally In Support of Solar Energy and Urge Sacramento to Keep California a Solar State

Package of bills would expand solar access, restore local clean energy jobs, and help get California back on track to reach climate goals

SACRAMENTO—Solar workers from across California traveled to the state capital on Wednesday to rally in support of solar energy, calling on lawmakers to keep California a solar state.

The solar industry is currently experiencing business closures and significant job losses in every part of the state after the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) decision to slash the value of solar energy contributed back to the grid by 70-80% overnight.

Since then, the solar industry has lost more than 17,000 jobs, representing 22% of all solar jobs in the state. A steep 87% decline in solar installations is also pushing California off its path to meeting renewable energy goals that are critical to the fight against climate change. 

“Solar energy is an essential part of California’s clean energy future,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) that organized today’s event. “Rooftop solar brings many benefits including consumer savings, more jobs, and protection of open space. California lawmakers must take action today to keep California a solar state.”

To help keep California a solar state, legislators introduced a series of bills aimed at expanding solar access, bringing back clean energy jobs and getting California on track in the fight against climate change. These bills include aligning net metering policies with the state’s ambitious clean energy goals, ensuring all of the benefits of solar energy are included in policy decisions, blocking high fixed charges, and making solar energy the official form of energy of California.

“It's utterly baffling that the state with the nation’s most ambitious record of advancing renewable energy and climate crisis relief has now sabotaged its own rooftop solar program,” said EWG President  Ken Cook. “Without a thriving residential solar sector, essential to allowing millions of working families to embrace clean energy, California’s emissions reduction targets under Governor Newsom are mere pipe dreams. The CPUC’s disastrous move last year dealt a severe blow to solar in the state, but there’s still hope if the legislature swiftly implements these critical measures.” 

Less than a year ago the Governor Newsom-appointed CPUC made drastic reductions to Net Energy Metering—the program responsible for lowering the costs of going solar and making California a solar leader. Since then, the solar industry has experienced devastating results in the form of business closures and depression-level layoffs.

Not only did CPUC’s decision crater the largest solar industry in the nation, it has made installing solar less financially viable for working and middle class families. The resulting decline in solar installations is also making it unrealistic for California to meet its own renewable energy goals that are critical to the fight against climate change. 

Despite the consequences, the CPUC has continued to stifle the growth of solar. Just three months ago, they voted to exclude schools, farms, apartments and small businesses from the benefits of solar. The CPUC is currently considering a new costly “fixed charge” scheme proposed by the utilities that would not only increase energy bills on millions of working and middle class households, but would harm the solar market further.

Legislation introduced to keep California a solar state includes:

  • AB 2619 (Connolly): Requires the CPUC to revise their net metering tariff to better align with California’s 100% clean energy goals.

  • AB 2256 (Friedman): Requires the CPUC to properly calculate all of the values of distributed generation including societal benefits.

  • SB 1374 (Becker): Restores the right of consumers with multimeter properties to self-consume on-site solar energy.

  • AB 1999 (Irwin): Places a reasonable cap on residential fixed charges, blocking the $30+/month charges currently on the table at the CPUC.

  • AB 2054 (Bauer-Kahan): Extends to 10 years the time period that CPUC commissioners are barred from employment by a regulated entity after leaving the commission.

  • SB 938 (Min): Prohibits electrical and gas corporations from lobbying with ratepayer dollars.

  • SB 1305 (Stern): Requires utilities to procure from virtual power plants to meet resource adequacy requirements.

  • AB 3118 (Wallis): Like the California poppy, this bill would establish solar energy as the official state energy of California.

CALSSA Statement on Appeal Court Decision to Uphold CPUC Net Metering Changes

“Under the CPUC’s leadership California is responsible for the largest loss of solar jobs in our nation’s history” 

Yesterday the Court of Appeal of the First Appellate District upheld the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) December 2022 “NEM 3” decision that drastically reduced the credits solar consumers receive for sharing their excess energy back to the grid. The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) released the following statement from CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro on the court’s ruling:

“The deck - in terms of the 2013 legislation requiring a reevaluation of net energy metering and the CPUC process itself - was stacked against solar from the beginning. Because of that we are disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised, by the court’s decision. We are grateful for the efforts of our environmental partners to exhaust every opportunity to reverse a misguided change to solar incentives that is already costing 17,000 jobs, closing businesses, and pushing California off our track to 100% clean energy.”  

NEM 3 Background

Just over seven months ago the Governor Newsom-appointed California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) made drastic reductions to Net Energy Metering — the program responsible for reducing the costs of going solar and making California a solar leader — by slashing the value of solar energy shared back to the grid by solar homes and businesses by 70-80% overnight. At the same time, the Commission and Governor Newsom promised to provide incentives for energy storage to help soften the blow but these incentives have yet to materialize or be fulfilled. 

Since the CPUC’s decision, the solar industry is experiencing devastating results in the form of business closures and depression-level layoffs at a time when California should be celebrating a golden age of clean energy growth. 

A survey of California solar and storage companies found 17,000 jobs have or will be lost by the end of 2023 due the recent net metering changes. The massive job loss represents 22% of all solar jobs in California and is the largest loss of solar jobs in U.S. history.

Despite the consequences, the CPUC continues to move in the wrong direction on solar. In November, the CPUC voted to stifle the growth of solar again, this time making solar unaffordable for multimeter properties like schools, farms, small businesses, and apartments.

For more information on solar job losses in California:

Significant Loss of Solar Jobs in Every Part of California Following CPUC Cuts to Solar Incentives

“Under the CPUC’s leadership California is responsible for the largest loss of solar jobs in our nation’s history” 

The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) shared a new breakdown of recent solar job losses, showing the impact is being felt in every part of California. 

Media note: Representatives from solar businesses experiencing hardships from around the state are available for interviews. A county-by-county breakdown of solar job loss is available by request.  

Just over seven months ago the Governor Newsom-appointed California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) made drastic reductions to Net Energy Metering — the program responsible for reducing the costs of going solar and making California a solar leader — by slashing the value of solar energy shared back to the grid by solar homes and businesses by 70-80% overnight. At the same time, the Commission and Governor Newsom promised to provide incentives for energy storage to help soften the blow but these incentives have yet to materialize or be fulfilled. 

Since the CPUC’s decision, the solar industry is experiencing devastating results in the form of business closures and depression-level layoffs at a time when California should be celebrating a golden age of clean energy growth. 

A survey of California solar and storage companies found 17,000 jobs have or will be lost by the end of 2023 due the recent net metering changes. The massive job loss represents 22% of all solar jobs in California. CALSSA’s new breakdown of the survey numbers estimate no part of California is spared from the pain of solar job losses. 

“All over California we are seeing the grim reality of how the CPUC’s cuts to solar are taking livelihoods away from thousands of families,” said CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “No one would expect a supposed climate leader like California to be pulling the plug on green jobs and our fastest and most accessible path to a clean energy future. But that is where we are today. Under the CPUC’s leadership California is responsible for the largest loss of solar jobs in our nation’s history.” 

Despite the consequences, the CPUC continues to move in the wrong direction on solar. In November, the CPUC voted to stifle the growth of solar again, this time making solar unaffordable for multimeter properties like schools, farms, small businesses, and apartments.

For more information:

Massive Layoffs, Business Closures, and Loss of Clean Energy Progress Since CPUC Slashed Rooftop Solar Incentives, New Analysis Shows

17,000 solar jobs lost due to CPUC’s drastic net metering cuts - largest in the nation’s modern history

CALIFORNIA—Together with local business and environmental leaders, the California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA) shared a new analysis on the impact of the recently adopted deep cutbacks to rooftop solar incentives on California’s progress toward 100% renewable energy, small businesses and green jobs. 

Download CALSSA’s solar industry analysis

Watch recording of webinar media briefing 

Just over six months ago the Governor Newsom-appointed California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) made drastic reductions to Net Energy Metering — the program responsible for reducing the costs of going solar and making California a solar leader — by slashing the value of solar energy shared back to the grid by solar homes and businesses by 70-80% overnight. 

Since the CPUC’s decision, the solar industry has experienced devastating results in the form of business closures and depression-level layoffs at a time when California should be celebrating a golden age of clean energy growth. 

“CPUC commissioners claimed their decision was about ‘launching the solar and storage industry into the future.’ Instead they caused the nation’s largest-ever loss of clean energy jobs, pushed once thriving businesses out of the state or into bankruptcy, and derailed California’s fastest and most accessible path to a clean energy future. All as California holds itself out there as a world leader in the fight against climate change,” said CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro.

A survey of California solar and storage companies found 17,000 jobs have or will be lost by the end of 2023 due the recent net metering changes. The massive job loss represents 22% of all solar jobs in California. More pain is expected as 59% of residential solar and storage contractors anticipate further layoffs, and another 11% are still unsure.

The CPUC’s changes left an uncertain future for solar businesses. 70% of residential solar and storage contractors expressed concern about their business outlook. Nearly 43% (~300 companies) believe it will be difficult to stay in business this winter. 

“There is no way to launch an industry forward by making its products more expensive for consumers. The overwhelming reason customers go solar is to save money. When you take away the ability for consumers to save money it puts a brick wall in front of our whole industry,” said Carlos Beccar with Energy Concepts in Fresno. “We have laid off 50% of our workforce since the new rules came into effect”, Beccar added. 

With most solar companies being small and medium sized businesses, and with solar jobs being family-supporting career paths, the impact of closures and layoffs ripple across every community in California. 

The CPUC’s changes to net metering are also pushing California off its path to meeting renewable energy goals that are critical to the fight against climate change. To reach 100% renewable energy, California needs 3.5 times more solar energy than it has today. Rooftop solar, today, makes up half of the state’s solar market and is the fastest growing among all renewable energy markets. A resilient and reliable energy grid for an electrified future will require 7 times more energy storage capacity than the state holds today yet solar energy drives storage development. 

Those goals now appear out of reach as changes to net metering slammed the brakes on California’s solar and storage progress. Rooftop solar sales are down between 66% and 83% from the same time last year following the implementation of net metering changes. 

“Every sunny roof without a solar panel is a missed opportunity to power our society more cleanly and efficiently. These numbers shine a light on how recent cuts to solar incentives are slowing down the adoption of clean energy, when California instead should be speeding up solar and storage deployment to achieve its goal of becoming a state powered by 100% clean and renewable sources.” said Laura Deehan, Environment California Director. 

Despite the consequences, the CPUC continues to move in the wrong direction on solar. Two weeks ago the CPUC voted to stifle the growth of solar again, this time making solar unaffordable for multimeter properties like schools, farms, small businesses, and apartments.

Solar leaders shared ways for California to get its flagship renewable energy industry back on track, including rejecting proposals to make solar even more expensive for working and middle-class families by implementing expensive monthly fixed charges, which are currently under consideration at the CPUC. Industry leaders also called on cities and counties to cut red tape for utilities to eliminate connection delays, all of which make solar more costly for consumers and businesses alike. To jump-start the future of energy storage, solar advocates urged California leaders to think big by launching a “Million Solar Batteries Initiative” with a massive investment to make energy storage affordable for all types of consumers. 

………

About CALSSA

The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) has advanced the common interest of the solar and storage industry for over 40 years, making California the most robust market in the U.S. The association is the state’s largest clean energy business group with 750 member companies representing an array of businesses that manufacture, design, install, finance and provide other resources to the growing local solar and storage market in California. Learn more at www.calssa.org.

CALSSA Statement on CPUC’s Vote to Exclude Schools, Farms, Apartments, and Businesses from the Benefits of Solar

“It is astonishing how intent the CPUC is on continuing to block the growth of solar at the expense of consumers and our state clean energy goals for the benefit of big utilities like PG&E.” 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted today to approve changes to the Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM) and Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA) programs that will make solar much less affordable for many types of consumers.

For properties with multiple electric meters like schools, farms, apartments, and small businesses in strip malls, going solar through the VNEM or NEMA programs will no longer be financially viable, which bring the benefits of going solar to consumers who otherwise would not benefit from Net Energy Metering (NEM), the program that makes solar more affordable by crediting consumers with solar systems for the excess energy they produce and share back with the energy grid. 

With this vote, the CPUC is denying schools, small businesses, apartment buildings, and farms the ability to use the solar energy they produce on-site, and instead forcing them to buy their own solar back from the utility at full retail prices. The changes eliminate a major incentive to go solar at a time when we need to ramp up solar installations.

“It is astonishing how intent the CPUC is on continuing to block the growth of solar at the expense of consumers and our state clean energy goals for the benefit of big utilities like PG&E.,” said CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “Not only is California nowhere near the renewable energy capacity we need, the solar industry is already experiencing a loss of solar jobs and small business closures from the CPUC’s attack on solar for single-family homes last year. This decision is yet another loss for consumers and another step backwards for California’s clean energy goals and fight against climate change—the only winners here are big utilities and their shareholders. The CPUC and policymakers need to stop undermining and meddling with the successful policies that made California a solar state in the first place and get back to promoting true solutions for consumers and the planet.”

Before the vote, the CPUC’s proposal was revised to allow net metering for residential meters in apartment complexes. However, the economic incentives for building owners to install solar for the building is still lost as meters in common and shared areas like hallways, gyms, outdoor areas, and EV charging stations will not be able to participate. If building owners are not motivated to install solar in the complex, individual tenants cannot benefit from solar either. 

Solar advocates are urging Governor Newsom and other leaders to find ways to repair the damage done by the CPUC in order to keep solar growing, save green jobs, and help California get back on track with the state’s clean energy goals.

CPUC Revised Proposal on “Virtual Net Metering” and “Aggregate Net Metering” Still Puts Solar Out of Reach for Schools, Farms, Businesses, and Many Apartments

The future of solar for schools, farms, apartment renters, and businesses remains on the line with a vote scheduled for November 16 

San Francisco—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released a new proposed decision late Wednesday night regulating how solar is used and credited on multimeter properties. The new proposal would still make solar unaffordable for California schools, farms, apartment buildings and businesses with multiple tenants. 

A vote by the CPUC on the proposal is scheduled for November 16, following multiple delays. A coalition of advocates and solar consumers are pressing for more changes in advance of the vote next week. 

“California should be in the golden age of solar,” said CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “But our state's regulators – backed by powerful utilities that fear solar competition – seem intent on halting California’s clean energy progress. We are already seeing notable job loss and small business closures from last year’s attack on solar for single-family homes, which will  knock the state off track for meeting clean energy goals needed to fight climate change. Now the CPUC is doing even more damage, kicking an industry while it’s down, by putting solar out of reach for schools, farms, small businesses and apartments that want to save money and do their part for the environment.” 

At issue are proposed changes to the Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM) and Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA) programs. The programs let properties with multiple electric meters install a solar system for the entire property, sharing one solar system’s electricity and net metering credits with all customers and meters on that property, including for shared energy needs such as EV charging. This brings the benefits of going solar to many types of consumers who otherwise would not benefit from Net Energy Metering (NEM), the program that makes solar more affordable by crediting consumers with solar systems for the excess energy they produce and share back with the energy grid.  

Last December the CPUC drastically reduced the value of solar credits for single-family homes under the so-called “NEM-3” decision. The CPUC’s original proposed changes to VNEM and NEMA, issued earlier this summer, went even further by denying multiple-meter properties the ability to consume the energy that they produce on-site. Instead, the proposal would force these consumers to buy their own solar electricity from the utility at full retail prices, even when using the energy directly in real time. The end result would essentially eliminate the incentive to install rooftop solar at apartments, farms, schools, and small businesses. 

Farm, schools, and small businesses with multiple meters are still left out from the benefits of going solar in the CPUC’s revised proposed decision released on Wednesday, which made no changes to the previous proposal regarding those types of properties. 

The revised proposal does take a step forward relative to the original one by allowing net energy metering for residential meters in apartment complexes. However, the meters in common areas of apartments would not be able to participate under the new proposal. That removes a big motivation for apartment owners to install solar in order to decrease costs for hallway lighting, outdoor lighting, office equipment, elevators, and shared resources like pools, laundry, exercise facilities and EV charging stations. If it is not cost effective for apartment owners to install solar, individual tenants cannot benefit either. In addition, making it difficult for apartment complexes to power EV chargers with solar would result in fewer EV chargers getting installed for tenants. 

Solar supporters and consumers, including tenant rights advocates, housing developers, farmers and school leaders from around the state have called attention to the harmful impacts of the CPUC’s proposal in terms of keeping solar affordable for all types of consumers and advancing clean energy as part of California’s fight against climate change. 

“This proposal weakens the economic incentives for solar adoption in multi-family housing by stripping away the cost savings for the building owner,” said Gary DeLong, Vice President, California Rental Housing Association. “Consequently, it hinders the transition to electric-powered buildings by blocking the use of on-site solar energy to adequately offset costs associated with electric vehicle charging and other electrification retrofits.”  

“This proposal undercuts the economics of putting solar on multi-family properties by eliminating any savings for the apartment building owner,” said Daniel Hardy, Founding Partner, Clear Capital, LLC. “In doing so, it also undercuts efforts to electrify apartment buildings by cutting off the ability to use onsite solar to cover EV charging and other electrification costs. Ultimately, the CPUC is harming our mission to protect the environment and support sustainable energy production for our communities.”

“Schools rely on Net Energy Metering Aggregation for affordable, reliable power in the face of rate hikes and frequent Public Safety Power Shut Offs which otherwise force us to reduce funding for direct services to students, or to shut down schools interrupting education, food distribution, emergency shelters, and other critical services,” said Nancy Chaires Espinoza, Executive Director of the School Energy Coalition. “Schools want to help our state meet its climate goals and to comply with new mandates, but we cannot install rooftop solar on school sites, convert district vehicle and bus fleets to electric vehicles, and install charging infrastructure in parking lots without any financial benefit to help us finance these significant investments.”

Hundreds of organizations and businesses representing clean energy and renters' rights advocates, affordable housing, farms, and schools—as well more than 135 local elected officials— are calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject proposals that make it nearly impossible for their constituencies to benefit from rooftop solar and battery storage. 

CPUC Postpones Vote on “Virtual Net Metering”

The future of solar for schools, farms, apartment renters, and businesses remains on the line with a vote now scheduled for November 2 

San Francisco—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) postponed the vote regulating how solar is used and credited on multimeter properties. A proposed decision currently on the table would make solar unaffordable for California schools, farms, apartment renters and small businesses. 

A vote by the CPUC on the proposal, previously slated for this Thursday, is now scheduled for November 2nd. This is the second time the vote was postponed in the process. 

Solar industry representatives and solar consumers, including tenant rights advocates, housing developers, farmers and school leaders, are available for interviews.

At issue are proposed changes to the Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM) and Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA) programs. The programs let properties with multiple electric meters install a single solar system for the entire property, sharing one solar system’s electricity and net metering credits with all customers and meters on that property. This brings the benefits of going solar to many types of consumers who otherwise would not benefit from Net Energy Metering (NEM), the program that makes solar more affordable by crediting consumers with solar systems for the excess energy they produce and share back with the energy grid.  

Last December the CPUC drastically reduced the value of solar credits for single-family homes under the NEM program. The CPUC’s proposed changes to VNEM and NEMA go even further by denying multiple-meter properties the ability to consume the energy that they produce on-site. Instead, the proposal would force these consumers to buy their own solar electricity from the utility at full retail prices. The changes would essentially eliminate the incentive to install rooftop solar at apartments, farms and schools. 

Hundreds of organizations and businesses representing clean energy and renters' rights advocates, affordable housing, farms, and schools—as well more than 135 local elected officials— are calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject proposals that make it nearly impossible for their constituencies to benefit from rooftop solar and battery storage. 

A recently adopted resolution by the Oakland City Council calls on the CPUC and Governor Newsom “to reject any proposals that seek to frustrate or dismantle the ability of multifamily tenants and schools to avail themselves of the benefits of local, renewable, and affordable energy through rooftop solar and battery storage.” Instead, the City Council urged the CPUC to “approve a net energy metering tariff for multifamily housing and schools that includes full credits and savings for multifamily tenants and schools from customer generated energy.” 

California Education Leaders Speak Out Against CPUC Proposal to Make Solar Unaffordable for Schools 

 
 

SACRAMENTO—Education leaders from around the state are speaking out against a proposal being considered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that would make it unaffordable for schools to go solar in order to lower their energy costs and use the savings to support students and staff. 

At issue are proposed changes to the Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM) and Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA) programs. The programs let properties with multiple electric meters install a single solar system for the entire property, sharing one solar system’s electricity and net metering credits with all customers and meters on that property. This brings the benefits of going solar to many types of consumers who otherwise would not benefit from Net Energy Metering (NEM), the program that makes solar more affordable by crediting consumers with solar systems for the excess energy they produce and share back with the energy grid.  

Last December the CPUC drastically reduced the value of solar credits for single-family homes under the NEM program. The proposed changes to VNEM and NEMA go even further by denying multiple meter properties the ability to consume the energy that they produce on-site without selling it all to the utility and buying it back at higher rates. 

The vast majority of schools in California have multiple meters on their campus and would be harmed by the CPUC proposed decision. The changes would essentially eliminate the incentive to install rooftop solar and battery storage in California schools. 

In addition to schools, the proposed changes would also discriminate against renters, farmers and other types of multimeter properties.  

Recently passed resolutions by the Oakland Unified School District and the Los Angeles School Trustees Association urged the CPUC and Governor Newsom to “reject the recent virtual net energy metering/net energy metering aggregation proposed decision for multimeter properties, as it will hamper or dismantle altogether the ability of schools to avail themselves of the benefits of local, renewable, and affordable energy through rooftop solar and battery storage.” Instead, school leaders in Oakland and Los Angeles called on state leaders to “approve a net energy metering tariff for schools that includes full credits and savings for multifamily tenants and schools from customer-generated energy.” 

Educators also spoke passionately against the CPUC proposal during the commission’s public hearing in late August. 

Bryan Clausen, a San Luis Obispo School Board Member shared how the proposed decision will greatly impact the district’s plan to add solar to ten of its schools. “At schools, most of our energy consumption happens during daylight hours. [...] As drafted, we would need to cancel our solar and battery programs because it would not be financially responsible for us to spend taxpayer money to deploy solar. (CPUC August 31 meeting at 56:61). 

Sasha Horwitz, a Legislative Advocate with the Los Angeles Unified School District, talked about how schools use onsite solar to help reduce operating costs so limited resources can be targeted to their community-based missions. The CPUC’s proposed decision will hurt that effort. “Increases in energy expenditures directly reduce funding for educational services. Rising energy costs take money directly out of our classrooms. The proposal would make it economically unfeasible for schools, community colleges, and universities to install solar and storage.” said Horwitz. She called on the CPUC to reject the current proposal and instead support property-wide netting “so that schools can benefit from the local renewable energy their own solar systems generate.”  (CPUC August 31 meeting at 1:05:20). 

Tina Fredericks, a Pasadena Unified School District Board Member, said the district is committed to being a leading voice in the fight against climate change. Because of that the district installed solar in 12 of its 25 campuses, with plans to build even more. The CPUC’s proposed decision would deny the district millions in annual savings it could invest in classrooms and teachers. In urging the CPUC to reject the proposals, Fredricks said “our children’s chance of a livable future is in your hands.” (CPUC August 31 meeting at 1:29:51).     

Sam Davis, an Oakland Unified School District Board Member, explained how the district has new bond money dedicated to addressing climate change with rooftop solar on all major school projects. The proposed decision will hurt the cost-effectiveness of those projects and thus takes money directly out of Oakland classrooms. (CPUC August 31 meeting at 1:55:22). 

A vote on the proposed decision by CPUC commissioners – originally scheduled for September 21 – is now expected on October 12. More information on VNEM, NEMA and the proposed changes is available here

As Deadline Looms, Which California Cities and Counties Are Doing Their Part To Cut Red Tape and Lower the Cost of Going Solar?

September 30 is the deadline for 210 California cities and counties to adopt streamlined permitting to make going solar easier and cheaper. New interactive map is available to help track progress.

SACRAMENTO— With the September 30th deadline fast approaching for California’s largest cities and counties to lower the cost of going solar by switching to an automated streamlined permitting process, solar advocates released an interactive map to help Californians see local progress. 

Using the color-coded map, Californians can see the status of their city’s or county’s efforts to implement streamlined permitting in order to cut red tape and lower consumer costs and delays when going solar. The map also provides information on the required compliance dates for each jurisdiction based on state law. 

The Solar Access Act (Senate Bill 379–Wiener), requiring instant and online streamlined permitting for residential solar and storage systems, was signed into law by Governor Newsom in September of 2022 to help make it easier and more affordable for Californians to go solar. Cities and counties can apply for grant funding through the CalAPP program administered by the California Energy Commission to help cover costs for implementing the new permitting process; the deadline to apply for funds was extended to May 1, 2024 and is on a first-come, first-served basis for all remaining funds.

SolarAPP+, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the Department of Energy, is one of the easiest, one-stop solutions for building departments to comply with the law. It is free for local governments to use and available to all jurisdictions in California and across the country. There are other software products also available to cities and counties throughout the state to comply with streamlined permitting requirements, such as Symbium. In addition to using currently available software programs, cities and counties can also comply with the Solar Access Act by developing their own online, instant, streamlined permitting system. 

Streamlined permitting software asks the contractor a series of questions to verify the system’s design is up to code and then issues a permit automatically for installation to begin. 

It is twice as expensive to go solar in California than many other developed places, in part, because of costs associated with permitting and interconnection with utilities. On average, it takes 13 to 19 days for California building departments to issue a permit, and it is not uncommon for wait times to take 60 or more days. The result is months of delays, thousands of dollars added to solar projects that are passed along to customers, and fewer homes going solar that otherwise would.

“California cannot meet its clean energy goals and bring rooftop solar and solar batteries to more people without local cities and counties streamlining their rooftop solar permitting process,” said Cailey Underhill, Advocacy & Development Director of Solar Rights Alliance. “It is one of the biggest obstacles to solar growth.” 

Streamlined permitting has the potential to dramatically bring down the cost of solar and storage in California by cutting red tape around permitting without sacrificing safety. All solar systems, even those permitted through automated software, must also pass a final inspection. Studies show that streamlined permits pass inspection with rates at, or better, than traditional permitting processes, many of which require the contractor to drive paper submittals to the building department and stand in line to submit the permit. 

“It is time to come up to the 21st century when it comes to solar permitting,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA). “Modernizing solar permitting processes and cutting red tape is a no-brainer for California.” 

“Solar contractors and local permitting authorities in communities from Chula Vista to Fresno to Redding are successfully using SolarAPP+ to cut down the review period for residential solar installations, and more communities across the state can take advantage of this platform,” said Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “The software eases the entire process without sacrificing quality and safety, and in some cases, permits are issued within 15 minutes of entering them into the automated system. Not only does this drastically reduce review hours, backlogs, and associated costs, it allows for homeowners to go solar faster. This is critical to our nation’s clean energy goals, including making solar the cheapest source of electricity in the United States in the next decade."

CALSSA estimates that the broad adoption of automated permitting would lower the cost of a typical home solar system by $1,200 to $2,600, and for the typical solar and storage system by $2,300 to $5,100. 

Cities with more than 50,000 residents and counties with more than 150,000 residents must comply with the Solar Access Act by September 30, 2023. Cities with 50,000 or fewer residents have until September 2024 to comply. Cities with fewer than 5,000 residents and counties with fewer than 150,000 residents are exempt altogether. Still, many exempt jurisdictions have adopted automated permitting anyway. 

Proposed Changes to Rooftop Solar Would Hurt Renters, Farms, and Schools

Groups Call for CPUC to Reject Utility-Backed Proposal to Make Rooftop Solar Unaffordable for Renters, Farms, and Schools

New rules proposed yesterday by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would make it unaffordable for renters in multifamily housing, farms, and schools to benefit from rooftop solar and battery storage.  The proposed decision hurts renters in California by denying multifamily properties the ability to consume the energy that they produce on-site without selling it to the utility and buying it back at higher rates.

At issue are proposed changes to the Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM) and Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA) programs. The programs let properties with multiple electric meters install a single solar system for the entire property, sharing one solar system’s electricity and net metering credits with all customers and meters on that property. This brings the benefits of going solar to many types of consumers who otherwise would not benefit from Net Energy Metering (NEM), the program that makes solar more affordable by crediting consumers with solar systems for the excess energy they produce and share back with the energy grid.  

VNEM and NEMA are essential for making solar accessible and affordable for apartment complexes. Farms, which have separately metered irrigation wells, commercial developments, and school and college campuses also rely on the ability to share solar generation and net metering credits. 

Last December, the CPUC issued a decision on the value of solar credits for single-family homes. That decision includes a distinction between energy consumed on-site and energy exported to the utility electric grid. It drastically reduces compensation to customers for exported energy, but allows customers to continue using their own generated electricity in real time. Under this updated program, known as NEM-3, customers consuming the energy they generate results in them buying less energy from the utility.

The proposed decision on virtual net energy metering does not include a distinction between energy consumed on-site and energy exported to the utility electric grid. It effectively prohibits customers from buying less energy from the utility even when they produce and consume energy on-site in real time. It would force customers in multi-meter properties—such as renters, small farmers, schools, and colleges—to sell all of their generation to the utility at low rates and buy it back at full retail rates.

The proposed decision is slated for a vote by the CPUC commissioners on September 21. If the CPUC finalizes the decision as proposed, it will likely end the ability of apartment buildings and many schools and farms to install solar and energy storage.

“Apartment complexes, farms, schools and commercial buildings represent a tremendous opportunity to grow California’s clean energy capacity while bringing the benefits of solar to many types of consumers who were previously left out,” said CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “Big utilities and our state’s energy regulators should not be treating people in apartments and other multimeter situations worse than consumers in single family homes. We know solar threatens utility profits, and they will stop at nothing to halt our progress – but this type of unfair discrimination is too much even for them.”  

Hundreds of organizations and businesses representing clean energy and renters' rights advocates, affordable housing, farms, and schools—as well more than 135 local elected officials—previously called on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject proposals from the utilities and CPUC Public Advocate to make it nearly impossible for their constituencies to benefit from rooftop solar and battery storage. The top recommendation in those letters was maintaining a distinction between self-generation consumed on-site and energy exported to the electric grid.

In addition to individual elected officials from around the state, local jurisdictions spoke out against the utility proposals. 

A recently adopted resolution by the Oakland City Council calls on the CPUC and Governor Newsom “to reject any proposals that seek to frustrate or dismantle the ability of multifamily tenants and schools to avail themselves of the benefits of local, renewable, and affordable energy through rooftop solar and battery storage.” Instead, the City Council urged the CPUC to “approve a net energy metering tariff for multifamily housing and schools that includes full credits and savings for multifamily tenants and schools from customer generated energy.” 

SolarAPP+, the One-Stop Solution For Cutting Solar Red Tape is Coming Soon to Santa Cruz County

Solar advocates shared how SolarAPP+ makes it easier and cheaper for people to go solar in Santa Cruz County and across California 

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA. — On Thursday, solar advocates celebrated Santa Cruz County’s progress in adopting SolarAPP+, an online permitting system developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the Department of Energy to make it easier and cheaper for people to go solar.

Santa Cruz County is in the final stages of testing and is on track to meet California’s September 30, 2023 deadline to fully transition to an automated instant permitting process for residential rooftop and storage systems mandated by the Solar Access Act (SB 379–Wiener).  Santa Cruz County also applied for grant funding through the CalAPP program administered by the California Energy Commission to help cover any costs for implementing the new permitting process.

Once fully adopted, SolarAPP+ can issue same day permits for rooftop solar projects that meet state codes, a significant improvement from California’s current permit timeline average of 13 to 19 days, which delays solar installations and passes on costs to consumers. The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) estimates that the broad adoption of SolarAPP+ would lower the cost of a typical solar system for consumers by $1,200 to $2,600 across the state, and for the typical solar + storage system, consumers could see costs lowered by $2,300 to $5,100.

Local solar advocates in attendance included:

  • Supervisor Manu Koenig, First District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County

  • Lisette Patrice Jones, Field Representative, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin

  • Ben Davis, Senior Policy Advisor, CALSSA

  • Daniel Camacho, CEO, Solar Motion 

In September 2022, Governor Newsom signed the Solar Access Act into law that requires most cities and counties to automate their permitting for residential rooftop and storage systems by adopting SolarAPP+ or functionally equivalent software. 

The first compliance deadline is September 30, 2023 for jurisdictions with more than 50,000 residents. Santa Cruz County is among about 240 California cities and counties required to begin issuing instantaneous permitting for residential rooftop solar and storage projects within the next couple of months. While some jurisdictions like Santa Cruz County have begun or completed the process of adopting a fully automated and instant solar and storage permitting system, many still need to initiate the process to meet the state’s deadline. Cities and counties can apply for grant funding through the CalAPP program administered by the California Energy Commission to help cover any costs for implementing the new permitting process; the deadline was extended to June 30, 2024 and is on a first-come, first-served basis for all remaining funds.

SolarAPP+ is the easiest, one-stop solution for building departments to comply with the law. It is free and available to all jurisdictions in California and across the country. The SolarAPP+ software asks the contractor a series of questions to verify the system’s design is up to code, runs automated code compliance and plan check, and then — for compliant systems — issues a permit automatically for installation to begin. More information about SolarAPP+ including a video of how it works in practice is available here.

Fast Facts:

  • On average, it takes 13 to 19 days for California building departments to issue a permit, and it is not uncommon for wait times to take 60 or more days. The result is months of delays, thousands of dollars added to solar projects that are passed along to customers, and fewer homes going solar that otherwise would.

  • It is twice as expensive to go solar in California than many other developed places because of costs associated with permitting and interconnection with utilities. SolarAPP+ has the potential to dramatically bring down the cost of solar in California by cutting red tape around permitting without sacrificing safety. SolarAPP+ permits pass inspection with rates at, or better, than traditional permitting systems. 

  • CALSSA estimates that the broad adoption of SolarAPP+ would lower the cost of a typical solar system for homeowners by $1,200 to $2,600 across the state, and for the typical solar + storage system by $2,300 to $5,100.

  • California cannot meet its clean energy goals and bring rooftop solar and solar batteries to more people without streamlining the local building department’s permitting process—it’s one of the biggest obstacles to solar growth.

  • According to NREL, solar projects submitted through SolarAPP+ are installed and inspected on average 12 business days faster than projects using the conventional process.

  • Streamlined permitting through SolarAPP+ also helps overstretched city and county building departments save time so they can focus on more complex projects. 

Thousands of small batteries could replace tomorrow’s giant power plants, helping avoid blackouts and lowering grid costs

The California Energy Commission voted today on a new program that will help avoid power outages by tapping into customer-sited batteries across the state

Embarking on a revolutionary way to power California’s carbon-free future, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a new program that would tap into thousands of distributed solar-charged and standalone batteries located at homes and businesses throughout the state to meet the state’s growing electricity needs, particularly on hot summer evenings. 

The concept is sometimes called a “virtual power plant,” and it is now featured in an innovative new part of the CEC’s Demand Side Grid Support program. The program would allow fleets of customer-sited batteries to be remotely dispatched when demand for electricity is at its highest, the grid most stressed, and energy prices through the roof. Energy prices rise when supplies are tight, like in a heat wave when demand for electricity spikes to keep air conditioners running. Bringing fleets of batteries online during these high-price events will help respond to grid emergencies, avoid power outages, help lower prices for all ratepayers, and ultimately avoid grid emergencies in the first place.  

Approximately 100,000 solar-charged batteries are currently installed at businesses and homes throughout the state. These batteries have the combined capacity of approximately 1 gigawatt of power, which is the size of one nuclear reactor. Unlike a traditional power plant, these batteries are extremely nimble, with the ability to respond in an instant when energy is needed. 

“Energy needs in the 21st century demand innovative thinking and that is what the California Energy Commission is embracing today,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association. “California must do more to encourage consumers to adopt solar and battery technologies at the local level so that we can keep the lights on and the air clean.” 

The program adopted today is an early step toward a future electric system that could ultimately draw on millions of clean, distributed batteries to support the grid, communities, and residents. The battery virtual power plant pathway was proposed by the California Solar and Storage Association as a way for the state to take better advantage of the many strengths of customer-sited energy storage. 

The challenge for the state is to get more consumers investing in these batteries and to create programs and incentives to allow energy providers to tap into them during the small number of hours each year when the grid is most stressed. This challenge is supported, in part, by this new program but much more needs to be done to meet California’s ambitious electrification goals. 

The CEC passed guidelines for this program with a unanimous vote of 3 commissioners at its July 26 business meeting in Sacramento. With the passage of the new guidelines, Demand Side Grid Support providers—including companies that operate virtual power plants composed of customer batteries—are expected to enroll in the program and begin signing up customers as early as this summer.   

“Today’s vote marks one small step but a step in the right direction nonetheless,” said Del Chiaro. “We applaud the Commission’s action today and look forward to working with more California policy makers to build more clean energy for the benefit of everyone.” 

CALSSA Statement on IREC's 2022 National Solar Jobs Census

Today the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) released the 13th annual National Solar Jobs Census, a comprehensive review of the U.S. solar energy industry’s employment and workforce development. The report shows California added over 2,400 solar jobs in 2022 and remains America’s solar energy leader with a total of more than 78,000 jobs, including more than 17,500 jobs in energy storage. California’s solar jobs are more than the other top ten solar states combined and account for almost 30 percent of solar jobs across the country. Not only did California have the most solar jobs added in 2022 (2,404) it was also the leading state in clean storage jobs (17,580).

Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) issued the following statement on the IREC report:

The quality and reliability of IREC’s comprehensive analysis of American solar and storage jobs nationwide and state by state is invaluable. 

California is building a clean energy future while creating high-quality jobs supporting tens of thousands of families. Last year, California solar workers built more than one power plant worth of solar energy every month (170 megawatts per month) and over two power plants worth of energy storage (250 megawatts of energy storage was added behind the meter). These projects created and supported jobs in every region of California, especially in the Central Valley. 

Not only does our industry help working families and small businesses save money on their electricity bills every month, we provide real climate change solutions by investing in behind-the-meter solar and storage technologies. 

California’s elected officials and decision makers must work to ensure the state’s clean energy progress continues with policies that support the continued growth of solar and storage.

SolarAPP+, the One-Stop Solution For Cutting Solar Red Tape Is Coming Soon to Irvine

Solar advocates share how SolarAPP+ makes it easier and cheaper for people to go solar in Irvine and across California

On Tuesday, solar advocates celebrated the City of Irvine’s progress in adopting SolarAPP+, an online permitting system developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the Department of Energy to make it easier and cheaper for people to go solar.

Irvine is on track to meet California’s September 30, 2023 deadline to fully transition to an automated instant permitting process for residential rooftop and storage systems mandated by the Solar Access Act (SB 379–Wiener). Irvine also applied for grant funding through the CalAPP program administered by the California Energy Commission to help cover any costs for implementing the new permitting process.

Once fully adopted, SolarAPP+ can issue same day permits for rooftop solar projects that meet state codes, a significant improvement from California’s current permit timeline average of 13 to 19 days, which delays solar installations and passes on costs to consumers. The California Solar & Storage Association estimates that the broad adoption of SolarAPP+ would lower the cost of a typical solar system for consumers by $1,200 to $2,600 across the state, and for the typical solar + storage system, consumers could see costs lowered by $2,300 to $5,100.

Making it easier for people in Irvine to go solar is an important step in the city’s ambitious Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

Local solar advocates were in attendance at Tuesday’s event, including:

  • Irvine Councilmember Dr. Kathleen Treseder, a longtime climate and renewable energy champion

  • Cailey Underhill, Advocacy & Development Director, Solar Rights Alliance

  • Caitlin McCann, Irvine resident working in the EV field

  • Brandon Dreessen, Regional Permit Manager, Sunrun

In September 2022, Governor Newsom signed the Solar Access Act into law that requires most cities and counties to automate their permitting for residential rooftop and storage systems by adopting SolarAPP+ or functionally equivalent software. 

The first compliance deadline is September 30, 2023 for jurisdictions with more than 50,000 residents. Irvine is among about 240 California cities and counties required to begin issuing instantaneous permitting for residential rooftop solar and storage projects within the next couple of months. While some jurisdictions like Irvine have begun or completed the adoption of a fully automated and instant solar and storage permitting system, many still need to initiate the process to meet the state’s deadline. Cities and counties can apply for grant funding through the CalAPP program administered by the California Energy Commission to help cover any costs for implementing the new permitting process; the deadline was extended to June 30, 2024 and is on a first-come, first-served basis for all remaining funds.

SolarAPP+ is the easiest, one-stop solution for building departments to comply with the law. It is free and available to all jurisdictions in California and across the country. The SolarAPP+ software asks the contractor a series of questions to verify the system’s design is up to code, runs automated code compliance and plan check, and then — for compliant systems — issues a permit automatically for installation to begin. More information about SolarAPP+ including a video of how it works in practice is available here.

Fast Facts:

  • On average, it takes 13 to 19 days for California building departments to issue a permit, and it is not uncommon for wait times to take 60 or more days. The result is months of delays, thousands of dollars added to solar projects that are passed along to customers, and fewer homes going solar that otherwise would.

  • It is twice as expensive to go solar in California than many other developed places because of costs associated with permitting and interconnection with utilities. SolarAPP+ has the potential to dramatically bring down the cost of solar in California by cutting red tape around permitting without sacrificing safety. SolarAPP+ permits pass inspection with rates at, or better, than traditional permitting systems. 

  • The California Solar & Storage Association estimates that the broad adoption of SolarAPP+ would lower the cost of a typical solar system for homeowners by $1,200 to $2,600 across the state, and for the typical solar + storage system by $2,300 to $5,100.

  • California cannot meet its clean energy goals and bring rooftop solar and solar batteries to more people without streamlining the local building department’s permitting process—it’s one of the biggest obstacles to solar growth.

  • According to NREL, solar projects submitted through SolarAPP+ are installed and inspected on average 12 business days faster than projects using the conventional process.

  • Streamlined permitting through SolarAPP+ also helps overstretched city and county building departments save time so they can focus on more complex projects. 

California Solar & Storage Association Releases New Consumer Best Practices for Rooftop Solar

Solar industry shares tips for consumers considering rooftop solar and storage amid net metering changes

SACRAMENTO—Amid the changes to net energy metering in California that go into effect starting on April 15, and the surge in consumers across the state adopting rooftop solar, California’s solar and storage industry is sharing tips and best practices for consumers considering going solar. 

Across the state, there are over 1.5 million solar systems installed at schools, farms, businesses, and churches, with 42% of the market being concentrated in working-class and middle-class neighborhoods. As a key driver of savings for California consumers of all types, rooftop solar and storage systems continue to be a wise investment for consumers to save on their energy bills while accessing clean, affordable, and reliable energy. 

“Going solar is one of the best ways to improve your home, save money, and protect against rising energy costs but like any major home improvement project, the best consumer is the informed consumer,” said CALSSA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “There are advantages to going solar sooner than later, but investing in solar is going to be a wise decision for most consumers today as well as tomorrow so don’t skip important steps in the buying process.” 

CALSSA compiled a few tips for being a smart solar consumer:

  1. Get three bids from a properly licensed solar contractor, preferably one who’s a member of a trade association like CALSSA. Useful links:  https://calssa.org/member-directory or https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx

  2. The cutoff for net metering in California’s investor owned utility territories is April 14, 2023. Consumers who live in PG&E, SCE or SDG&E territories and who submit a complete interconnection application to their utility before the cutoff date can be eligible for net metering. After that date, consumers are eligible for the new program called net billing. Net billing still affords savings for consumers who go solar but the  payback periods - the length of time it takes for your solar investment to pay for itself through monthly utility bill savings - will take more time. Consumers who live in a municipal utility territory may or may not be eligible for net metering, depending on local policies.

  3. Consider adding battery energy storage to your solar system. A battery can protect your solar investment while also giving you emergency backup power during grid outages. 

  4. Make sure you are aware of the federal "Solar Investment Tax" Credit (ITC) and how you can take advantage of it. The tax credit is worth 30% of the final cost of the solar system, which is an incentive that will be around for consumers for the next ten years. If your solar system costs $30,000, you may be eligible to deduct $9,000 off of what you owe in federal taxes. However, the ITC can only benefit you if you owe federal income taxes. 

  5. Any contract you sign should include the system size (measured in kilowatts, kW), the final installed cost, and warranty information. It should also include the license numbers of the contractor and the home improvement sales agent who sold you the solar system. The contract should be in the same language as the sales conversation. Do not sign a contract that is missing these important pieces of information.

  6. Pay as you go. Don’t make more than a $1,000 down payment upon signing a contract. There are also a lot of options for financing your solar system or signing up for a power purchase agreement that don’t require large up front investments. 

  7. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. For example, no government agency will write you a check if you go solar. You can save money by going solar, but you cannot make money. Also, there is no such thing as a “zero utility bill.” Most electric bills in California contain monthly charges. These are required with or without solar. Finally, adding solar to your home does not mean you can use as much electricity as you’d like. If you significantly increase your electricity usage after going solar, outpacing the size of your solar system, your electric bill will increase. 

  8. Buyer’s remorse? California gives you three days to change your mind or five days if you’re 65 or older. Instructions on how to cancel must be included in your contract.

CALSSA representatives are available for interviews to discuss the impact of recent solar rate changes and best practices for consumers considering going solar. 

CALSSA Statement on CPUC’s Vote to Slash Solar Net Metering

“The changes to net metering approved by the CPUC are a step backwards when we really need to be moving forward with solar and battery storage. It is a dark day in California when the utility regulators try to block out the sun.” 

Sacramento, CA—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted today to approve changes to solar net energy metering that will make rooftop solar much less affordable in California. 

Based on an initial analysis by solar advocates, changes to net metering would significantly reduce California’s solar market by slashing the value of solar energy put back on the grid by 75 percent, effective April 2023. It represents the largest cut to the value of solar in U.S. history. The result is an expected cliff in the growth of new solar installations. 

The changes also do not do enough to advance energy storage as it extends the payback periods for these combined systems beyond what they currently are. Today, California is installing roughly 30,000 batteries compared to 200,000 solar systems. With high costs, supply chain constraints, inflation and permitting and interconnection delays and challenges, it will take years before the storage market can match the solar market.   

Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) issued the following statement on the CPUC’s vote to slash solar net metering. 

The CPUC vote is a loser for California on many levels. For the solar industry, it will result in business closures and the loss of green jobs. For middle class and working class neighborhoods where solar is growing fastest, it puts clean energy further out of reach. For our grid reliability needs, it fails to promise robust growth in battery storage. And for California's race to clean energy, it puts us behind our goals and out of step with the national pro-solar agenda. 

Solar advocates are proud we were able to fight back against the most egregious attacks on rooftop solar the CPUC included in earlier proposed changes to net metering. We stopped a discriminatory solar tax and protected current solar users from a broken deal. 

Still, the changes to net metering approved by the CPUC are a step backwards when we really need to be moving forward with solar and battery storage. It is a dark day in California when the utility regulators try to block out the sun. The solar movement will continue looking for ways to keep rooftop solar growing and affordable in California despite this setback. 

Background:

Currently 1.5 million consumers use net metering, including thousands of public schools, churches, farms, and affordable housing developments, and it is the main driver of California’s world-renowned rooftop solar market. As a result of net metering, working and middle class neighborhoods are just under half of the rooftop solar market and the fastest growing segment today.

In total, distributed solar energy systems have added 13 gigawatts of solar energy to the state, roughly the size of six Diablo Canyon nuclear power plants. In addition, consumers have added nearly 1 gigawatt of energy storage which played a meaningful role in keeping the lights on during recent heat waves. 

Big utilities want to change the rules in their favor in order to eliminate a growing competitor, keep consumers stuck in utility monopolies, and protect their profits. Utilities claim solar makes the energy bills of non-solar customers more expensive. But in reality, utility profits, infrastructure investment, transmission lines, and paying for their bad planning and the fires they cause are what drives energy rates up. Californians are not fooled, and real equity champions know energy fairness is about “making rooftop solar panels and batteries more—not less—affordable for working families and lower-income Californians.”

A proposed decision released in December 2021, that would have implemented an unprecedented solar tax and drastic net metering credit reductions, was shelved earlier this year after intense backlash and public disapproval from Governor Newsom. Despite that backlash and the overwhelming popularity of rooftop solar in California, the CPUC’s revised proposed decision still included an immediate and drastic slash to the value of net metering.   

With rooftop solar’s vital contribution to reaching California’s clean energy goals, the promise of battery storage for grid reliability, and new federal incentives for going solar, a diverse coalition of solar supporters are calling on the California leaders to keep solar growing and affordable for all types of consumers. More than 160,000 people submitted comments to the CPUC and Governor Newsom calling for a strong NEM-3 decision, the highest count in CPUC history.

CALSSA Statement on CPUC’s Final Proposed Decision on Solar Net Metering

“The CPUC's final proposal is a loser for California on many levels. The proposal is a step backwards when we really need to be moving forward with solar and battery storage. It is a dark day in California when the utility regulators try to block out the sun.”

Sacramento, CA—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released a final proposed decision today on solar net energy metering, which the CPUC commissioners are expected to vote on December 15.  

Based on an initial analysis by solar advocates, the final proposed decision would significantly reduce California’s solar market. The final proposed decision maintains a 75 percent decline in the value of solar energy, effective April 2023. 

The final proposed decision also does not do enough to advance energy storage as it elongates the payback periods for these combined systems beyond what they are today. Today, California is installing roughly 30,000 batteries compared to 200,000 solar systems. With high costs, supply chain constraints, inflation and permitting and interconnection delays and challenges, it will take years before the storage market can match the solar market.   

While the revisions to the proposal preserve the current value of solar energy for multi-family housing and farms until further analysis can be done, those minor modifications alone will not protect California’s overall solar market. 

Overall, the final proposal fails to provide a sensible glidepath on lowering solar export rates while maintaining the growth of energy storage for both the residential and commercial markets. The result is an expected cliff in the growth of new solar installations and the expansion of battery storage capacity, according to solar advocates and industry experts. 

Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) issued the following statement on the CPUC’s proposed decision: 

The CPUC's final proposal is a loser for California on many levels. For the solar industry, it will result in business closures and the loss of green jobs. For middle class and working class neighborhoods where solar is growing fastest, it puts clean energy further out of reach. For our grid reliability needs, it fails to promise robust growth in battery storage. And for California's race to clean energy, it puts us behind our goals and out of step with the national pro-solar agenda. The proposal is a step backwards when we really need to be moving forward with solar and battery storage. It is a dark day in California when the utility regulators try to block out the sun.

Background:

Currently 1.5 million consumers use net metering, including thousands of public schools, churches, farms, and affordable housing developments, and it is the main driver of California’s world-renowned rooftop solar market. As a result of net metering, working and middle class neighborhoods are just under half of the rooftop solar market and the fastest growing segment today.

In total, distributed solar energy systems have added 13 gigawatts of solar energy to the state, roughly the size of six Diablo Canyon nuclear power plants. In addition, consumers have added nearly 1 gigawatt of energy storage which played a meaningful role in keeping the lights on during recent heat waves. 

Big utilities want to change the rules in their favor in order to eliminate a growing competitor, keep consumers stuck in utility monopolies, and protect their profits. Utilities claim solar makes the energy bills of non-solar customers more expensive. But in reality, utility profits, infrastructure investment, transmission lines, and paying for their bad planning and the fires they cause are what drives energy rates up. Californians are not fooled, and real equity champions know energy fairness is about “making rooftop solar panels and batteries more—not less—affordable for working families and lower-income Californians.”

A proposed decision released in December 2021, that would have implemented an unprecedented solar tax and drastic net metering credit reductions, was shelved earlier this year after intense backlash and public disapproval from Governor Newsom. Despite that backlash and the overwhelming popularity of rooftop solar in California, the CPUC’s current proposed decision still includes an immediate and drastic slash to the value of net metering.   

With rooftop solar’s vital contribution to reaching California’s clean energy goals, the promise of battery storage for grid reliability, and new federal incentives for going solar, a diverse coalition of solar supporters are calling on the California leaders to keep solar growing and affordable for all types of consumers. More than 160,000 people submitted comments to the CPUC and Governor Newsom calling for a strong NEM-3 decision, the highest count in CPUC history.

Agricultural Groups Urge CPUC and Governor Newsom to Keep Solar Affordable for Farms and Agricultural Businesses

110 farmers and agricultural business leaders call on Governor Newsom and CPUC to support the Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA) program as utilities push to end it.

SACRAMENTO—A group of 110 California farmers and agricultural businesses signed an open letter to Governor Newsom and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), calling on them to support Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA). NEMA helps farms stabilize electricity costs and save money by accessing affordable, reliable, and renewable power when they need it most.

The CPUC is considering changes to Net Energy Metering (NEM), the state policy that makes solar more affordable for consumers of all types by compensating them for the energy they share back to the grid. The CPUC’s current proposed decision on net metering would make it less affordable for residential and commercial consumers to install solar by reducing the value of energy exported to the grid.

Farms and agriculture businesses are not spared the impact of export rate cuts, but the current proposed decision would maintain a key NEM program that more and more farmers have come to depend on, NEMA, which “requires the utilities to net out a farm’s electricity usage from the amount of exported power,” according to the farm letter. 

However, the letter goes on to note that “utilities are continuing to press for changes that would bill farmers as if they are not using any of the power they are generating.” That change “would render NEMA useless altogether.” 

The letter urges Governor Newsom and the CPUC not to “destroy one of the leading ways we can invest in ourselves to hedge against the eternally rising costs of running a farm.” 

A vote on the CPUC proposed decision is expected on December 15. 

Consumers, Climate Activists and Green Workers Rally Across California to Keep Rooftop Solar Growing and Affordable

Day of action across the State to save solar

California—Coalitions of energy consumers, climate activists and green workers held rallies across California today, calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and Governor Newsom to keep rooftop solar growing and affordable. 

The CPUC is considering changes to “net energy metering,” the state policy that makes rooftop solar affordable for consumers of all types by crediting them for the excess energy they produce and share with their neighbors. A proposed decision released by the CPUC in November would immediately slash net energy metering credits by 75 percent, down to between $0.05 and $0.08 per kilowatt. 

The proposed changes would make solar unaffordable for most consumers, eliminate green jobs in the solar industry, and slow California’s progress towards 100 percent clean energy. A vote on the proposed decision by the CPUC is expected on December 15. 

At churches, restaurants, historic plazas, utility offices and the CPUC headquarters, solar advocates held ten simultaneous events in San Diego. Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Stockton, and Chico. 

Quotes:

“Sending rooftop solar off a cliff and making it too expensive for everyday people fulfills the utilities' dream," said Solar Rights Alliance director Dave Rosenfeld. “It will also harm everyday Californians looking for a break from ever rising energy bills, blackouts and air pollution. This is Governor Newsom's moment to show the public where he stands. Will he keep rooftop solar growing, or let it wither at the hands of the monopoly?” 

"Rooftop solar has seen its greatest growth in Latino communities. These immigrant communities struggle monthly to pay their energy bill, especially those in the Central Valley and desert communities where summer temperatures are often over 100 degrees. Rooftop solar is a liberating technology for those families. Now PUC bureaucrats want to roll back solar incentives for our families. That’s unjust,” said Francisco Moreno, Executive Director of The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM).

“The CPUC’s proposal throws a wrench into a successful incentive program that has helped California become number one in the nation for solar production,” said Steven King with Environment California. “By discouraging everyday Californians from going solar, we put our climate, public health and energy resilience at risk. To build a clean energy future, rooftop solar is an important tool we need to keep in our toolbox.” 

“Affordable energy is critical to local families. However, when we outreach into environmental justice communities, the first economic complaint of most families is the incredible portion of their income they spend on electricity and water,” said Esperanza Vielma of the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water.

“In our communities many families go without basic necessities in the hot summer months because they need to pay large electrical bills or the IOUs cut that power. Unfortunately, the CPUC's proposal will make access to cheaper rooftop solar for our communities more expensive and out of our reach. That's going backward,” said Destiny Rivas of the San Joaquin Urban Native Council. 

“Our business is in the process of adding solar panels and backup storage because it makes economic sense. With lower monthly electric bills, we can keep our restaurant prices affordable and serve our community,” said Alicia Cardenas, the owner of Nena's on B Street, a popular Mexican restaurant in Stockton. 

Background:

Currently 1.5 million consumers use net metering, including thousands of public schools, churches, farms, and affordable housing developments, and it is the main driver of California’s world-renowned rooftop solar market. As a result of net metering, working and middle class neighborhoods are just under half of the rooftop solar market and the fastest growing segment today.

In total, distributed solar energy systems have added 13 gigawatts of solar energy to the state, roughly the size of six Diablo Canyon nuclear power plants. In addition, consumers have added nearly 1 gigawatt of energy storage which played a meaningful role in keeping the lights on during recent heat waves. 

Big utilities want to change the rules in their favor in order to eliminate a growing competitor, keep consumers stuck in utility monopolies, and protect their profits. Utilities claim solar makes the energy bills of non-solar customers more expensive. But in reality, utility profits, infrastructure investment, transmission lines, and paying for their bad planning and the fires they cause are what drives energy rates up. Californians are not fooled, and real equity champions know energy fairness is about “making rooftop solar panels and batteries more—not less—affordable for working families and lower-income Californians.”

A proposed decision released in December 2022, that would have implemented an unprecedented solar tax and drastic net metering credit reductions, was shelved earlier this year after intense backlash and public disapproval from Governor Newsom. Despite that backlash and the overwhelming popularity of rooftop solar in California, the CPUC’s current proposed decision still includes an immediate and drastic slash to the value of net metering.   

With rooftop solar’s vital contribution to reaching California’s clean energy goals, the promise of battery storage for grid reliability, and new federal incentives for going solar, a diverse coalition of solar supporters are calling on the California leaders to keep solar growing and affordable for all types of consumers. More than 160,000 people submitted comments to the CPUC and Governor Newsom calling for a strong NEM-3 decision, the highest count in CPUC history.

CALSSA Statement on CPUC’s Revised Proposed Decision on Solar Net Metering

Sacramento, CA—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released a revised proposed decision today on solar net energy metering. Though the proposal avoids unfair and illegal solar taxes and fees, it would make solar less affordable by reducing the credit consumers receive for contributing their excess solar energy back to the power grid, known as export rates. 

The solar industry and clean energy supporters are still reviewing the CPUC’s proposed decision, but based on an initial analysis it would cut the average export rate in California from $0.30 per kilowatt to $0.08 per kilowatt and make those cuts effective in April 2023, resulting in a 75 percent reduction in value of exports.   

Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) issued the following statement on the CPUC’s proposed decision: 

The CPUC’s new proposed decision would really hurt. It needs more work or it will replace the solar tax with a steep solar decline. An immediate 75 percent reduction of net energy metering credits does not support a growing solar market in California. 

If passed as is, the CPUC’s proposal would protect utility monopolies and boost their profits, while making solar less affordable and delaying the goal of 100 percent clean energy. 

California needs more solar power and more solar-charged batteries, not less. 

We urge Governor Newsom and the CPUC to make further adjustments to help more middle- and working-class consumers as well as schools and farms access affordable, reliable, clean energy. 

Background:

The CPUC is considering changes to “net energy metering,” the state policy that makes rooftop solar more affordable for consumers of all types by crediting them for the excess energy they produce and share with their neighbors. 

Currently 1.5 million consumers use net metering, including thousands of public schools, churches and affordable housing developments, and it is the main driver of California’s world-renowned rooftop solar market. As a result of net metering, working and middle class neighborhoods are just under half of the rooftop solar market and the fastest growing segment today.

In total, distributed solar energy systems have added 13 gigawatts of solar energy to the state, roughly the size of six Diablo Canyon nuclear power plants. In addition, consumers have added nearly 1 gigawatt of energy storage which played a meaningful role in keeping the lights on during recent heat waves. 

Big utilities want to change the rules in their favor in order to eliminate a growing competitor, keep consumers stuck in utility monopolies, and protect their profits. Utilities claim solar makes the energy bills of non-solar customers more expensive. But in reality, utility profits, infrastructure investment, transmission lines, and paying for their bad planning and the fires they cause are what drives energy rates up. Californians are not fooled, and real equity champions know energy fairness is about “making rooftop solar panels and batteries more—not less—affordable for working families and lower-income Californians.”

Despite the overwhelming popularity of rooftop solar and net metering in California, the CPUC’s proposed decision released last December would have implemented a monthly solar penalty tax while also slashing credits consumers receive for their excess solar energy. 

The unpopular proposed decision was shelved earlier this year after intense backlash and public disapproval from Governor Newsom.

With rooftop solar’s vital contribution to reaching California’s clean energy goals, the promise of battery storage for grid reliability, and new federal incentives for going solar, a diverse coalition of solar supporters are calling on the CPUC to keep solar growing and affordable for all types of consumers. More than 160,000 people submitted comments to the CPUC and Governor Newsom calling for a strong NEM-3 decision, the highest count in CPUC history.

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About CALSSA

The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) has advanced the common interest of the solar and storage industry for over 40 years, making California the most robust market in the U.S. The association is the state’s largest clean energy business group with over 700 member companies representing an array of businesses that manufacture, design, install, finance and provide other resources to the growing local solar and storage market in California. Learn more at www.calssa.org.