Skip to main content

California Community Solar Update

In this episode – California Community Solar Update . . .

Today, we're diving into the ongoing saga of Community Solar in California. As you might know, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has been grappling with how to regulate this growing sector. The program is poised to launch in July of 2024,  however . . . 

Net Energy Metering (NEM 3) and the Rooftop Solar Impact:

Let's rewind a bit. In December 2022, the CPUC issued a controversial decision called NEM 3. NEM stands for Net Energy Metering, and NEM 3 is the third iteration of this program. Here’s the big issue – NEM 3 significantly reduced the credit that rooftop solar users' received for feeding excess energy back to the grid.

This decision primarily affects those who install solar panels after April 2023. While NEM 3 doesn't directly impact Community Solar, it's an important context because it highlights the CPUC's ongoing efforts to balance the economics of solar power.

So what’s the Hold-Up?

The bigger story for today is Community Solar. This program allows Californians who can't install rooftop panels to subscribe to a solar farm and receive bill credits based on their share of the energy produced. It's a great way to expand access to clean energy, especially for renters and low-income residents.

As you might expect, the CPUC's proposed decision on Community Solar has been met with strong opposition, primarily from the utility companies. Critics argue it creates unnecessary hurdles for project development, hindering the program's growth.

Here are a few key concerns:

Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) Dispute: The proposed decision rejects the NVBT, a key design element that allows community solar projects to compete fairly in the electricity market. Opponents argue that this stifles innovation and limits Californians' options.

Low-Income Impact: Critics worry the proposal weakens support for low-income communities. Community Solar is crucial for expanding clean energy access to these residents, and a complex program discourages participation.

The Road Ahead:

The future of Community Solar in California remains to be determined. Here's what we know – A lawsuit challenging NEM 3 is headed to the State Supreme Court. The outcome could impact the broader regulatory landscape for solar power, including Community Solar.

The California Public Utilities Commission is revising its Community Solar proposal to respond to public feedback, and negotiations are ongoing.

Stay Informed:

The situation is fluid, and a final decision on Community Solar is yet to come. We recommend checking resources from organizations like the California Solar & Storage Association or the Coalition for Community Solar Access to stay current.

National Community Solar Programs Tracker: The Institute for Local Self-Reliance resource provides a detailed state-by-state breakdown of Community Solar programs, including legislation and project details (click the above link).

The Takeaway:

Community Solar holds immense potential for expanding clean energy access in California. While the CPUC's current proposal faces challenges, advocates are pushing for a program that's fair, accessible and promotes a thriving solar future. My listening friends, On the Fly, is about whatever comes to mind, and we will continue monitoring developments to keep you informed.

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

That Fateful Four-Letter Word

In this episode, A Masterclass in Efficiency. For nearly four months, the western border of our property has stood as a living monument to determination, dubious planning, and forensic-level lumber acquisition. Since February, our neighbor Steve has been conducting what can only be described as a masterclass in deliberate calculation. This was never going to be one of those slick home-improvement shows where a cheerful pair of men installs a fence between commercial breaks, sipping lemonade. No. This was real life in retirement. We scaled the vertical wilderness of our hillside. We mixed concrete with the precision of medieval alchemists. We bled, we sweated, and we fought hand-to-hand with a buried tree stump that had the structural integrity of a Cold War bunker. By this week—May 16th, for those keeping score—the glorious end was finally within reach. The fence stood proudly, the line was straight, and victory practically hummed in the air. Only one major task remained: installing t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Truth for Sale

This episode is inspired  by Elton John & Bernie Taupin On Memorial Day, I took my first bike ride  since the accident , seeking proof that my legs, lungs, and nerves still remembered the road. The morning air carried that familiar Southern California mix of ocean haze, exhaust, eucalyptus, and sun-baked asphalt. My tires hummed across pavement I’ve ridden for years. Somewhere between the steady click of the chain and the rhythm of my breathing, Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s The Captain and the Kid found its way into my ears. There’s a strange kind of magic when the cadence of a ride syncs perfectly with a song you know by heart. Suddenly, the music and lyrics stop being background noise and become a lens. And through that lens, the road started talking. I've been cycling on this road some, Can't help feeling I've been showing my friends around. I've seen it grow from next to nothing, To a giant eatin’ up our town. Called up the tealeaves and the tarots, Asked the...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Mother’s Day Reflection

With Mother’s Day here and the world bustling with cards, brunches, and busy schedules, I find myself reflecting on something a bit simpler: taking a moment to remember the person who helped shape my earliest sense of home. Mauricette Elaine (Bontemps) Ball. My Mom. We arrived in Cuba after leaving La Rochelle, France, in 1959—a transition whose enormity I only fully appreciate now. My mother, barely in her mid-twenties, stepped into Midwestern life with remarkable courage. Her smile could warm the coldest Illinois morning, and her hugs lingered long after she let go—quiet reminders that you were deeply loved. Born February 16, 1934, the third of four children, she grew up in Nazi-occupied La Rochelle. As kids, we listened wide-eyed to stories of soldiers patrolling her streets and fear shadowing everyday life. Yet she carried none of that darkness forward. What endured was resilience and an unwavering devotion to family—qualities she carried across the Atlantic and planted firmly in C...
1 comment
Read more

When Nature Comes to You

Sometimes the best way to experience the world isn’t to go searching for it, but to sit still and let it come to you. Lately, the view from my reading chair has become a vibrant little stage. Our backyard feeder has drawn a steady parade of wildlife—bold flashes of blue from the Western Scrub Jays, brilliant bursts of color from the Hooded Orioles, and Purple Finches—transforming quiet afternoons into a chorus of motion and song. But the most captivating performance unfolds just inches beyond my window. For the past couple of weeks, a young hummingbird mother has been perched on her tiny, beautifully woven nest. Hummingbirds usually seem made of pure nervous energy, yet here she is: perfectly still, patient, and devoted. Watching her quiet vigil - day after day - has felt almost magical. Life seems to be blooming in every direction right now, renewing itself in real time. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down, look outside, and notice the quiet miracles surrounding us. John Muir once wro...
Post a Comment
Read more