Solar users went to your State Capitol. Here’s how it went.
In late August, two dozen solar users from across the state joined solar workers at the State Capitol to educate lawmakers about the benefits of rooftop solar, part of our 2nd Annual Solar Lobby Day. All in all, we met with over twenty lawmakers or their staffs in one day. Why do we organize Solar Lobby Day? The main goal…
Good news: Cities can’t tax your solar thanks to state lawmaker action
State lawmakers took a stand for your right to make solar energy by ensuring local governments can’t tax your solar. Background: local governments often charge taxes on services like cable and electricity. They’re called Utility Utilization Taxes (UUT). A few years ago, state lawmakers correctly recognized that you should not get taxed for the solar energy that you make and…
New solar fees as high as $60/month proposed by utilities across CA
San Diego Gas & Electric and many cities are attacking rooftop solar with charges as high as $60 per month on solar users. Solar users fought this nonsense off in Sacramento, and you should too. This is exactly why we need a Solar Bill of Rights to prohibit fees that discriminate against people for making solar energy on their property….
California hits one million solar roofs milestone
This year, the one millionth solar roof system was installed in California. That’s a fifty-fold increase since 2006. It’s a huge milestone, and worth celebrating because solar has been great for the people of California. Leadership and policy got us to 1 million We got this far because of some good decisions state leaders made in 2006. Back then, only…
Eight ways your solar benefits everyone
The utilities killed the Solar Bill of Rights by falsely telling lawmakers that your solar is an expensive burden on the electrical grid. That claim, greased by campaign contributions and scores of lobbyists, prompted influential lawmakers to secretly gut the bill. Solar users know the truth: your solar system not only benefits you individually, but the entire community as well….
Solar heros of the month
These folks helped lead the successful grassroots opposition to the Sacramento utility’s proposed $40-$60 per month solar fee. Since then, they’ve organized lobby days for the Solar Bill of Rights and launched a new campaign to improve their utility’s approach to solar. Pictured left to right are Gabor Leidenfrost, Lee Miller and Alan Escarda (Solar Rights Alliance Executive Director Dave…
Solar Bill of Rights down, but not out. Here’s the path forward.
Utility lobbyists killed the bill to protect your right to make solar energy without unfair fees or red tape, but they can’t kill the idea. With more wildfires, blackouts and budget-busting electricity prices on the horizon, we need a Solar Bill of Rights more than ever. Your voice is key to stepping up the pressure and succeeding. It is time…
Sacramento solar users aim for “The Utility of the Future”
In March, Sacramento area solar users banded together and stopped their local utility (SMUD) from hitting solar users with a punishing $40-$60 / month fee. Encouraged that their voices were heard by SMUD, these solar users are now campaigning to help SMUD become a “The Utility of the Future.” Solar users would have paid $40-60 more per month…just for having…
When you show up, solar wins
“…your officials have an interest in getting re-elected. Meeting with them, expressing your point to them directly, I think it can have a big impact.” – Irvine resident Raj Pandey We agree with Raj. The Solar Bill of Rights was approved unanimously by the Senate Energy Committee in April in large part because the room was packed with 50 supporters,…