This is also happening in Australia.
‘California utility regulators have just made significant changes to rules applied to the stateβs rooftop solar market, saying that the moves will ensure solar-powered homes contribute theirΒ βfair shareβ to maintain the power grid.
The state has long led the nation in adoption of rooftop solar panels, and today more than 1.5 million California homes and other buildings have them. Under a decades-old program, people with solar panels can get paid by their power companies by sharing excess solar energy they donβt need, leading some solar homes to pay minimal electric bills.
Thatβs led to criticism that rooftop solar customers arenβt paying their fair share into the rest of the energy grid, which many still rely on for power when the sun goes down. Power rates also include things like transmission equipment and wildfire prevention work, and regulators approve a set amount of money that utilities can recover from customers.
As this is California, there were also social justice reasons for the change.
Utilities and consumer groups have argued the incentive payments have unfairly favored wealthier consumers and harmed poor and low-income households. But solar companies and renewable advocates have said that lowering the compensation would slow solar installations and hinder the stateβs goals to address climate change.
The proposal, which California utility regulators unveiled last month, will change a net metering policy by paying solar owners for extra power at a lower rate, which is determined by the cost the utility would need to spend to purchase clean power from an alternative source. The solar industry has said the plan would amount to a 75% cut in average payment rates to customers.
Todayβs unanimous vote by the five-member commission was monitored across the country, since California is widely viewed as a leader in the renewable energy buildout. The impact of todayβs decision will likely extend beyond the state and have implications for the solar industry nationwideβ¦’https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/12/california-regulators-make-controversial-move-to-reduce-incentives-to-homeowners-with-solar-panels/