San Diego County plan would deliver SDG&E more profits while undercutting rooftop solar
On May 24th, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on an SDG&E-backed plan that will set the stage to spend billions of ratepayer dollars on unnecessary long distance power lines. It will also cut the legs out from under rooftop solar. If the plan passes, it’ll set the stage for higher utility bills and more…
Frequently asked questions about changes to California’s rooftop solar rules (aka “NEM3”)
Defying overwhelming public opposition, state officials voted in late 2022 to make drastic changes to California’s rooftop solar rules (called “net energy metering”). The decision by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will make it much more expensive to get rooftop solar starting in mid-April 2023. The decision mostly affects those who do not yet have solar, but can affect…
Appeal seeks to reverse CPUC’s flawed rooftop solar decision
Three nonprofit organizations have appealed the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)’s December 2022 decision to eviscerate the state’s rooftop solar program. The appeal outlines several ways in which the CPUC’s decision violates both the law and their own rules, and argues that the CPUC’s decision must be reheard and reversed. To be clear, the appeal is administrative, meaning it is…
CPUC voted to send rooftop solar off a cliff
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted on December 15th to make drastic changes to the state’s rooftop solar rules. Read the final decision (NEM3) Fact sheet How the CPUC’s decision may affect you Key details Most consumers who get solar after April 2023 will see an average 75% reduction in the credit they receive for sharing their extra…
Why we support Derek Cressman for SMUD Board of Directors
Derek Cressman is a rooftop solar supporter who is running for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Board of Directors, Ward 4. Solar Rights Alliance has decided to endorse Derek. If you are a voter in District 4, we encourage you to vote for him. If you are not a Ward 4 voter, we encourage you to volunteer and/or donate…
Mia Livas Porter is the best choice for Assembly District 52
Mia Livas Porter is a rooftop solar supporter who is running to represent California Assembly District 52. Solar Rights Alliance has decided to endorse Mia. This is the first time Solar Rights Alliance has endorsed any candidate running for the Legislature. We want to share our reasons for taking this unprecedented step. 1) Mia Livas Porter is running to replace…
The net metering policy that puts consumers at the center
Most people, including Governor Newsom, agree that the CPUC’s proposed rooftop solar decision (Net Energy Metering 3.0 or “NEM3”) needs to be changed. The billion dollar question now is, “what changes will Governor Newsom and the CPUC make?” Since the CPUC’s original proposal from December is so extreme, measuring the effectiveness of the Governor’s response must be based on basic…
Update: Solar Tax defeated, again!
We are happy to report that the authors of SB 846 have agreed to clarify in writing that the bill will not impose a Solar Tax on the solar energy you produce and consume at home. In other words, you helped defeat the Solar Tax. Again. This is the third time in the last year we have had to fight to…
The utilities are the masterminds behind the smear campaign against rooftop solar
For those who are curious, the three investor-owned utilities – PG&E, SoCal Edison and SDG&E – are behind the pressure and misinformation campaign to kill rooftop solar. The utilities’ campaign against rooftop solar is being waged by a nice-sounding front group called “Affordable Clean Energy for All”. They have a slick website called Fix the Cost Shift. They claim to…
The Solar Tax is Back (and the Solar Cliff, too)
On May 9th, the CPUC formally requested input on three changes they are considering to rooftop solar net metering. Among these changes is a Solar Tax of $300 to $600 per year on average. In other words, the CPUC appears to be pursuing a re-packaged version of their disastrous proposal in December. As we feared, the utilities have so captured…