Are you in California? Do you want to help promote home solar?

[kristopher]

This petition could use your support.


CPUC net metering decision would give more Californians a fair shake at going solar
April 12th, 2012

Today we’re celebrating an interim win for California rooftop solar along with our partners at SEIA, IREC and the Sierra Club. Together we have been working to encourage the utility regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to clarify the methodology being used to calculate the cap on the state’s net metering program, that billing arrangement that allows solar power customers’ meters to spin backwards and generate savings on their electricity bills. Well PUC Chairmain Peevey has just issued a proposed decision on the cap methodology that, if approved by the full Commission, will help boost solar use by homeowners, businesses, and public agencies in a big way.

Here’s how:

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. There is a cap on the amount of net metering that must be made available to customers – beyond that cap, there’s no guarantee that utilities continue to allow new solar customers to net meter. California’s law sets the cap at “5 percent of aggregate customer peak demand,” but does not specify how utilities should calculate that number. Consequently, utilities are using a more restrictive methodology that results in almost 50 percent less net metered solar and renewable energy than would otherwise be allowed. Chairman Peevey’s proposed decision clarifies that utilities should use the cap calculation methodology that results in more Californians having access to the energy bill saving benefits of net metering. Hooray!

Take action to support this proposed decision. Remember the full Commission still has to approve it! TAKE ACTION HERE.

Here’s what our allies and partners had to say:

“When we crafted California’s original net metering law, the goal was maximize the amount of clean distributed energy on the grid,” said former Assemblyman Fred Keeley, author of California’s net metering law “By proposing this methodology, the CPUC is complying with the original legislative intent and helping California lead the way toward a clean energy economy.”
“The PUC’s proposed decision...

http://votesolar.org/2012/04/6914/

[silverweb]

1. Done!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Thanks!

[pinboy3niner]

2. Done

[cojoel]

3. pardon my ignorance, but...

In order for a grid-tied solar PV to make sense net metering is essential. The thing is only producing power for part of the day, and usually more than you need at that particularly time. With net metering it balances out. I thought the issue had to do with a net production that exceeded individual demand, implying something owed from the utility to the customer

I don't live in California, but for some reason I thought it was net metering there also, but the utilities did not have to pay for any production in excess of that customers demand (in other words they can steal it). In Colorado grid-tied solar PV is all net=metering and the utility must buy any excess power back annually (though you can sign away that right in exchange for having the excess credit carry over to future years).