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Later this year, the California Public Utilities Commission expects to update the rules over how owners of rooftop solar systems are compensated and if the past is any indication, the debate will be a fierce one between the state’s utilities and the solar industry.
Monday marked the day the two sides as well as other interested parties in the debate had to turn in proposals to the commission concerning net energy metering.
The big three investor-owned utilities San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric turned in a joint proposal that looks to resolve their complaints that net energy metering results in a “cost-shift” that unfairly burdens customers who do not have solar installations at their homes and businesses. “The structure to compensate solar customers is in desperate need of reform,” said Scott Crider, SDG&E’s chief customer officer.
Image: Trina Solar
Three Californian utilities have proposed changes in order to “modernise” the US state’s net metering policy, prompting a backlash from solar campaigners.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) brought forward a joint proposal on Monday (15 March) that would add monthly customer service and maintenance costs to California’s current net metering system for new adopters of residential solar systems.
The Proposal
The state’s existing program, NEM 2.0, allows solar power owners to save credits they are entitled to from excess energy over the course of the year. However, the utilities have put forward a successor to the current scheme, which will apply to new solar customers from November 2021. The new proposal, NEM 3.0, would see customers balancing their accounts each month.
New Poll Shows Utility Efforts to Roll Back Net Metering Are Very Unpopular with California Voters prnewswire.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from prnewswire.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.