January 25, 2016
Sponsored by Sean Gallagher

Getting The Details Right In California’s Net Metering Case Matters

Today, I made the solar industry’s case for strong net metering in California.

 

In a proposed decision on net metering in December, the California Public Utilities Commission largely got it right. The proposed decision builds on the legislature’s and governor’s climate leadership, maintaining net metering with a strong 20-year grandfathering provision, while ensuring fairness to utilities, customers and solar companies.

The proposal requires solar customers to pay a one-time interconnection fee, contribute more to public programs (an increase in ‘nonbypassable charges’ or NBCs), and transition onto time-of-use rates, which will help facilitate greater use of renewable energy in the state. If accepted, the commission would revisit its decision in 2019 after rate changes and grid modernization efforts run their course.

This re-evaluation will allow technology and new regulatory structures to evolve to realize even greater customer and grid benefits from solar.In response to the commission’s proposed decision, utilities are trying to circumvent the state’s nearly two-year-long regulatory deliberations by putting forward an unjustified and procedurally improper last-minute proposal.

Read my full article on Greetech Media. 

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