Solar Rights Toolkit

Solar Rights Toolkit

The latest recommended actions for Californians who want to defend and expand solar rights

Last updated 5.11.23 – Questions: [email protected] or text/call 619-292-8740

1) Ask your city to comply with the new law to streamline the process for installing solar and batteries

  • It is twice as expensive to go solar in California than in many other developed places because of permitting and interconnection delays.
  • A new state law requires local governments to streamline the process for issuing a permit to install solar and/or batteries. 
  • A grant is available to help cities and counties comply with the law. The maximum amount is $100,000. The deadline was May 1st, but funds are still available, and your town can still apply.  
  • Sign the petition asking your city and county officials to apply for the grant and follow the new law ASAP.
  • After you sign the petition, follow these instructions to make your voice heard directly to your city leaders.

2) Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting the reversal of the CPUC’s rooftop solar decision

  • Your letter helps increase the visibility of the appeal to the politicians and judges that might be able to help.
  • Tips:
  • Write your letter to your local newspaper. You don’t have to be a subscriber. 
  • Submission instructions vary by newspaper. Here is a list of most of the state’s major newspapers. Follow their instructions carefully to ensure your letter is considered.
  • Your letter should be 150 words.
  • Open your letter with a reference to the appeal. Here’s an example: “Several nonprofit organizations are appealing the CPUC’s decision to make rooftop solar unaffordable for everyday people.”
  • Then include a sentence describing one argument in the appeal. Refer to this summary for ideas. For example: “The appeal shows how the CPUC violated the law requiring rooftop solar to grow, not shrink.”
  • Finally, add a sentence or two in your own words as to why you support the appeal. 
  • Make it personal. Use plain language, from the heart. 

3) Tuesday June 6th, State Capital, Sacramento (in-person): Solar Lobby Day

4) Encourage your friends, family and neighbors to join Solar Rights Alliance

  • There’s strength in numbers. The 100,000 people who are part of Solar Rights Alliance helped stop the Solar Tax by speaking out repeatedly. 
  • That’s awesome, but there are more than 1.5 million solar users in California.
  • People often learn about Solar Rights Alliance through word of mouth
  • It’s free to join – all they need to do is sign up at https://www.solarrights.org/signup 
  • Flyer you can modify, print and distribute to your neighbors with solar
  • Sample email or social media post:

I’d like to make you aware of an organization I belong to called Solar Rights Alliance. They are the nonprofit association of California solar users. Solar Rights Alliance believes everyone has the right to make solar energy without unreasonable interference by the utilities. They keep track of what the politicians, regulators and utilities are up to and alert us when there is a threat to our investment, or an opportunity to expand solar. 

More than 100,000 solar users in California are part of Solar Rights Alliance. Last year, we helped to stop a utility effort to charge a $700/year Solar Tax.

I encourage you to check out and sign up for Solar Rights Alliance. It is free and takes just a minute to do by going to this website: www.SolarRights.org/Signup 

Solar Rights Alliance has a strict privacy policy and will not sell or share your information with anyone. 

Learn more about Solar Rights Alliance here:  www.SolarRights.org