Rooftop Solar Fight Threatens California’s Climate Goals


Some energy experts say utilities won’t be able to generate or buy enough renewable energy to replace what would be lost from the decline in rooftop solar panels, which provide 9 percent of the state’s electricity in 2020, more than nuclear and coal combined. Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civic and environmental energy at Stanford, said California would need to dedicate about a quarter of its land for renewable energy without expanding rooftop solar to meet climate goals. As a result, utilities would have to turn to natural gas and other fossil fuels.

“The only thing this will do is reduce solar energy on the roof,” said Professor Jacobson. “This will mean there will be more natural gas in the system. Every roof should have solar power. You should encourage that more.”

People who install solar panels on their roofs or on their properties are still connected to the electricity grid, but take credit off their bills for the electricity they produce beyond what they use. California’s proposal would reduce the value of these loans by approximately 87 percent, which is roughly equivalent to retail electricity prices. Additionally, the measure will impose a new monthly fee on solar homeowners – about $56 for a typical rooftop system.

For homeowners with an average rooftop system serviced by PG&E, the state’s largest corporation, the monthly cost of solar and electricity will skyrocket from $133 to $215, according to the California Solar and Storage Association.

An intense campaign is underway to influence regulators. Rooftop solar companies, homeowners and activists on one side, utilities and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on the other are lobbying Governor Gavin Newsom to intervene. The Commission, though independent of Mr. Newsom, has enormous influence. The governor recently told reporters that regulators should change their proposals, but did not specify how.

The electrical workers union, which did not respond to requests for comment, plays a central role. It represents laundresses, electricians and other utility workers who often earn more than non-union workers who install roofing systems. Many union members, an important constituency for Democrats, Fear of falling behind in the transition to green energy.

Other states are also targeting rooftop solar. Florida is considering legislation to reimburse homeowners for the excess energy produced by their panels, a benefit known as net energy metering.



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