California
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CPUC net metering decision would give more Californians a fair shake at going solar
April 12th, 2012
Today were 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 states 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.
Heres 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, theres no guarantee that utilities continue to allow new solar customers to net meter. Californias 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 Peeveys 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.
Heres what our allies and partners had to say:
When we crafted Californias original net metering law, the goal was maximize the amount of clean distributed energy on the grid, said former Assemblyman Fred Keeley, author of Californias 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 PUCs proposed decision...
http://votesolar.org/2012/04/6914/
Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)Pretty lame. No autofill either. Signed it I did but it has to be easier. I will use the FB Share button here though.
I'm not in Ca. but since I'm strong on renewables I'd like to see this pass.
Perhaps you could email them and suggest an improvement if you have the time. I'm not well versed in the recent moves in using social media myself but I certainly recognize its importance.
msongs
(67,405 posts)roody
(10,849 posts)My wonderful little municipality in N. Cal. buys back every extra watt.