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.

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

Mom Was Right

In this episode: Mom Was Right (Again!) . . . Remember that old saying, "Mom knows best?" Well, this week, it resonated profoundly. I vividly recall my mother's steadfast remedy for the common cold, which was ingrained in my 1960s childhood: "Rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take aspirin to reduce pain and fever." . . . Or now that I think about it, this may have been a Bayer aspirin commercial–Simple . . . Fast-forward to the age of AI and endless medical information at our fingertips, and guess what? Not much has changed. Yet, somehow, this week, Lori and I were blindsided by a cold—the first in over five years. My incredulous "How could this be?" quickly morphed into a dawning realization. Our company's annual meeting, a melting pot of colleagues from Illinois, Texas, Vietnam, Colorado, Northern California, and the Central Valley, was a veritable petri dish of germs. And, oh, the germs found me! Getting sick, especially after a long str...

Whispers of Spring

In this episode, Whispers of Spring . . . Spring has a way of sneaking in when you’re not looking. One day, you’re shaking off the last chill of winter, and the next, you realize the light has shifted, stretching shadows just a little longer. It didn’t make a big fuss about it—no dramatic entrance, no trumpets—just a quiet unfolding, like an old dog settling into a sunny spot on the porch. Last week, Daylight Saving Time kicked in, which meant we all fumbled with our clocks, grumbled a bit, and then, like frogs taken aback by a warm rain, leapt forward into longer evenings. The sun now lingers, in no rush to set, hanging in the sky like a tossed coin that refuses to fall. With the extra daylight, we find ourselves drawn outside once again, migrating to the back patio like folks are drawn to a warm campfire. The lawn chairs are right where we left them, waiting like old friends. The air hums with wind chimes, their tuned cylinders catching the breeze and weaving together something that...

Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It?

In this episode: Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It? (And a Little Baseball Nonsense) Welcome, fellow baseball aficionados and purveyors of the peculiar, to a very special, dare we say unpredictable, issue of On the Fly! Today, the air is thick with . . . well, probably just regular air, but a specific mischievous something is buzzing around. Can you feel it? Does that tingling sensation make you double-check your shoelaces and suspiciously eye any unusual packages? Yes, dear readers, it’s April 1st! A day steeped in mystery, shrouded in playful deception, and frankly, a day where you shouldn't believe anything you read (except maybe this . . .maybe). But before we descend into a whirlwind of whimsical falsehoods (don’t worry, we’ll mostly keep it light!), let’s take a quick, slightly wobbly, historical flight through the origins of this most unreliable of holidays. Whispers from the annals suggest a few intriguing possibilities for why we dedicate this particula...

At 92–Don's Digital Daydream

Listen to the audio here. In a world of his own–lives, ole' Doctor Don, Not one world, but three, 'til the setting of the sun! There’s his Blog-World , so bright, with words all a-whirl, And Book-World , with stories of boy and girl! Then, Day-World , where legs didn't leap, didn't run, Just shuffled and creaked 'til each day is done. But his brain, oh, his mind, it’s zippy and keen, A most curious fellow that ever was seen! At ninety and two, with a twinkle so bright, He met Chatty and said, "What a strange delight!" This box with the answers, so quick and so bold, Of theology and stories, new truths to unfold!" "Integrity, relationships, where do they fit? This thing makes me wonder, bit by bit!" He ponders and pokes with laughter and a grin, "Til POOF! he has gone to a world from within! A world made of words, a fantastical place, Where limits of the body, left not a trace! He Soares, and he zooms, with a thought and a rhyme, Trans...