Monopoly status gives utilities unfair advantage over rooftop

Merced Sun-Star Editorial - How can it be that the Turlock Irrigation District was able to enact policy and rates that make solar installation a losing proposition for the consumer? It seems the California Public Utilities Commission and state regulators should be protecting consumers from “monopoly” practices. In most cases, the consumer’s location dictates the source of commercial electrical power available. TID has, in essence, used its status as sole provider to shut down the competition from rooftop solar.

California solar advocates bring wheelbarrows of petitions to net metering fight

Utility Drive - Solar advocates delivered wheelbarrows full of petitions from over 130,000 electricity users to the California Public Utilities Comission (CPUC) asking regulators to extend the state’s net energy metering (NEM) rate, which credits solar owners for any electricity they send back onto the grid at the retail rate, PV Magazine reports.