Solar industry wins big in PUC vote

Most states have passed laws allowing net metering, but a 40 percent drop in the cost of residential solar installations in the last five years has prompted some to review those policies amid calls by utilities to roll them back. However, new solar customers will face some additional fees, such as a one-time interconnection charge when they hook up to the grid.

Not everybody agrees. Caroline Choi, vice president for energy and environmental policy at Southern California Edison, says the commission’s decision “does not adequately address impacts to the vast majority of our customers who do not have solar, nor does it transition toward a future with fewer subsidies paid by non-[net metering] customers”. It offers solar energy systems; solar lease and power purchase agreement finance products; mounting hardware for photovoltaic panels; and related software, as well as develops a proprietary battery management system, which is created to enable remote, bidirectional control of distributed energy storage that can provide benefits to customers, utilities, and grid operators. Since establishing the solar as a service model in 2007, Sunrun continues to lead the industry in providing clean energy to homeowners with little to no upfront cost and at a savings to traditional electricity.

This story has been corrected to reflect that the PG&E source’s first name is Ari.

“We all know that California is a world leader when it comes to being ‘green, ‘” Del Chiaro said in a statement. As a result, utilities say that non-solar customers have to cover that shortfall by paying higher rates, subsidizing solar customers.

The decision, which initially applies only to new solar panel systems, was viewed as a broad compromise to some. And like in California, Nevada utility companies aren’t happy about it. In fact, Nevada’s largest utility, NV Energy, is fighting net metering tooth and nail. That’s also why the amount of money customers can make back through net metering is capped. In 2019 the CPUC will revisit the issue and there will likely be revisions to the regs.

In addition, beginning in 2018, new rooftop solar customers will be required to enroll in the solar system through time of use rates. The solar industry said the monthly cost could go as high as $18 a month. Although the new rooftop solar program includes some unfavorable changes, it maintains the current net-metering rates, and the solar industry has hailed the ruling a success. The Commission only narrowly approved the decision, with two Commissioners feeling it didn’t reduce solar compensation enough.

The ongoing fight over net metering speaks to the growing power of the solar industry and its increasing economic viability.

“San Diego Gas & Electric strongly supports renewable energy, including rooftop solar, but also we strongly believe that the growth of rooftop solar should not penalize customers who do not own a home or are unable to afford or accommodate rooftop solar”.