Town Halls! Phone calls! Letters! Wow! How your actions have made a difference
Defending rooftop solar from the utilities and their government enablers is a bit of a roller coaster ride. Over the last few years, we’ve learned some important lessons on how to beat back the utilities, and we’ve had some important wins that have kept rooftop solar alive in California. We are publishing these lessons so that our shared Alliance can…
Why state lawmakers must pass a bill to repeal the Utility Tax
Recap: Proposed Utility Tax will increase bills on millions of people and undermine rooftop solar Last year, state legislators passed a law requiring all ratepayers to pay a Utility Tax in addition to per kilowatt/hour charges. The utilities and their allies are lobbying for the highest Utility Tax in the nation—between $30 and $70 per month just for being hooked…
CPUC blocks rooftop solar for farms, schools, and many renters. Will state lawmakers overrule them?
For years, the utilities have tried and failed to block homeowners from making and using their own solar energy. We’ve stopped them every time. But last month, the utilities succeeded in blocking solar rights for schools, farmers, and many renters. This, despite overwhelming opposition from renters’ advocates, affordable housing organizations, school districts, farmers, and the general public. At this point,…
Proposed Utility Tax would increase electricity bills for millions, undermine rooftop solar, and discourage conservation
Summary At the direction of the California State Legislature, the utilities and some aligned organizations are proposing to charge most residential ratepayers a Utility Tax of $30 to $70 per month. Even a $30/month Utility Tax would be three times the national average. This mandatory Utility Tax would increase electricity bills on millions for working Californians who live in apartments,…
State Court of Appeal will hear lawsuit against NEM3 rooftop solar decision on December 13th
December 13th is the next step for the lawsuit appealing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)’s December 2022 “NEM3” decision. The lawsuit calls for the CPUC’s decision to be overturned on the grounds that the CPUC’s decision violates both the law and their own rules. The State Court of Appeal in San Francisco will hear oral arguments from both sides…
Meeting face-to-face with your state legislators is a powerful way to defend your solar rights
This fall, many state Assemblymembers and Senators are going to be holding local Town Hall meetings, open houses, and other “meet and greet” events for constituents like you. We encourage you to sign up and attend these events and ask them to do more to repeal the Utility Tax, and to keep rooftop solar growing. To be clear, everything you…
State agency proposal threatens consumer warranties for solar and batteries
The state Contractor Licensing Board (CSLB) has proposed a utility-backed proposal that could threaten the warranties on many people’s solar and battery systems. Overall, their proposal would make it more difficult and expensive for consumers to install and repair solar-powered batteries. What is being proposed The Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) has proposed prohibiting licensed solar contractors from doing the…
Six tips for buying a solar-powered battery
Thinking of getting a solar-powered battery for your home or business to protect you from the next power outage? Here’s six tips to help you figure it all out. For deeper dives: Solar Rights Alliance: Solar-Powered Batteries Webinar The Energy Show’s podcast: Which Batteries Are Best For Your Home? Solar-powered batteries can let you keep — and use — all…
Thanks to you, more than 140 cities are cutting solar red tape
This winter, thousands of solar users successfully pushed their local governments to streamline their solar permitting process, helping to make it easier for their neighbors to go solar. See if your city or county has taken the first step. If you don’t see them on the list, you can use these resources to nudge them to do so. The problem we…
Solar Lobby Day: 350 solar supporters went to the State Capitol to defend rooftop solar
Massive thanks to the nearly 350 solar users, solar workers, and solar businesses who went to the State Capitol in Sacramento on June 6th for Solar Lobby Day! Purpose of Solar Lobby Day The purpose of Solar Lobby Day is to meet face-to-face with state lawmakers and their staff about why California needs to do more to promote rooftop solar….