They established a framework for utilities to buy excess solar energy from homeowners and supplement power to the grid. Set rates that aim to shift all consumers’ use of power to the times of day that improve grid reliability.Ĭalifornia’s original rules, called Net Metering, were implemented in 1995.The remainder provides funding for paired solar-battery storage systems. Two thirds of the funds, $630 million, will be set aside for low-income households. Fund $900 million in new incentive payments to residents to help them purchase rooftop solar systems.The change would not apply to residents with existing solar systems. For new customers, reduce the amount utilities pay them for excess power by at least 75% compared to current rates, starting in April.Commissioner John Reynolds said the decision was a “heavy one,” saying “nothing in energy policy is black and white, and nothing in this decision has been.”Ĭommissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said the agency faced “competing and challenging priorities.” He called it a “responsible and forward-looking decision.” In remarks before the vote, commissioners acknowledged how divisive the matter has been. And solar developers say the rules will discourage people from installing solar panels.Ī victory for the solar industry came earlier this year, when the commission dropped an unpopular plan to charge homeowners an 8% per kilowatt-hour tax for new solar systems.
Utilities did not get all the concessions they hoped for to lower bills for non-solar customers. The California Public Utilities Commission today overhauled the state’s rooftop solar regulations, reducing payments to homeowners for excess power but providing nearly a billion dollars in incentives to encourage more solar projects for low-income homes.Ĭommissioners called the new rules - adopted unanimously after hours of highly charged public comments that were almost entirely opposed - a much-needed course-correction to California’s 27-year-old residential solar rules.īoth the power companies and the solar industry criticized the new rules that outline details of the financial incentives to encourage people to build rooftop solar. But new state incentives will be available. After a unanimous vote today by the CPUC, homeowners get smaller payments from utilities, which solar companies say will slow construction of new rooftop solar projects.
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