Solar Advocates Like Preliminary CPUC Decision to Boost Clean Energy in California

CleanTechnica

California solar energy advocates [Thursday] praised a proposed decision by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that, if approved, will likely boost renewable energy use by homeowners, businesses, and commercial uses and lower energy costs for both solar and non-solar energy ratepayers.

The proposal, put forward by PUC Chairman Michael Peevey, clarifies the methodology to fairly calculate the cap on Net Energy Metering (NEM or “net metering”), a billing arrangement that allows utility customers to offset energy use with their own renewable energy systems (such as electricity-generating solar panels). Net metering works like “rollover minutes,” with customers receiving credits on their bills for the excess power they generate that is put back on the grid.