Update (May 24, 2012): Today the CPUC voted unanimously to give more Californians access to net metering. Our thanks to the 60,000 folks who sent messages to the CPUC in support of this action.
Update (May 15, 2012): we’ve added an address at the bottom for you to write to the CPUC and urge it to adopt the new proposal.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) chair Michael Peevey has put forward a proposal that would boost use of renewable energy by homeowners and businesses, and would lower energy costs for all ratepayers.
Net-metering is a billing arrangement that allows utility customers with their own renewable-energy systems (such as solar panels) to receive credits on their bills for the excess power they generate and put back on the grid.
California law places a cap on the amount of net-metering that utilities must make available to customers. The law sets the cap at “5 percent of aggregate customer peak demand”, but does not specify how to calculate that number. Utilities are using a restrictive methodology that allows almost 50%-less net-metered solar and renewable energy than would otherwise be allowed. Peevey’s proposed decision would clarify that utilities should use the calculation methodology that results in more Californians having access to the energy-bill saving benefits of net metering.
“When we crafted California’s original net-metering law, the goal was maximize the amount of clean distributed energy on the grid,” said former Assemblymember Fred Keeley, author of California’s 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.”
“This decision is good for our health, good for our wallets, and great news for the California workers who rely on solar-installation jobs to feed their families,” said Jim Metropulos, senior advocate with Sierra Club California. ”Now, more California families who want to use the free solar power that falls on their roofs to lower their energy bills can do so, and benefit from the savings.”
The Sierra Club, along with the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Vote Solar Initiative, and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, submitted joint comments in the PUC’s cap-calculation proceeding. The proposed decision will be considered by the entire commission at an upcoming hearing.
Established in 1995, California’s net-metering policy has helped make the state the nation’s solar leader. The policy makes solar more affordable to Californians in low- and middle-class zip codes, where solar adoption has been largest in recent years.
In place in 43 states nationwide, net-metering is one of the most important policy tools for empowering homes, businesses, schools, and public agencies to invest in solar.
WhatYouCanDo
Write to the Public Utility Commission at:
505 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
or at Tell the Public Utilities Commission: Support rooftop solar in California.
Urge the commission to adopt the proposed decision issued in Rulemaking No. 10-05-004.
This is great news for California homeowners! Finally, a proposal that will benefit the homeowners that have gone solar. We need to keep offering incentives and cost savings to everyone to help pave the way for California to become the leader in renewable energy! Now, if they can cut through all the “red tape” and get the proposal approved.
Mary J
Green Roofs or Solar Roofs ?Do you want to contribute to our earth but don’t know how? Global warimng and the urban heat island effect are making inroads into our homes. This is a serious issue, and we must also have a positive attitude toward mediating this situation.Suppose that you are not a boss of an enterprise; therefore, you are powerless to decide how to reduce air pollution nor recycle resources. Don’t be discouraged! You can still influence others and help preserve the earth by supporting the idea of green design. Green design is an internationalidea that has been discussed for many years, and was promoted in the 1992 Leaders Summit Meeting in Brazil. It is called ecological building in Japan and sustainable building in Europe. Home green design is an affordable way to save energy. Two methods of saving energy are the green roof and a roof covered by solar panels. Though each of these two methods have their own advantages and drawbacks regarding expense, working conditions, and function, green roofs are a more effective way to save energy.Expense is a very important thing taken into consideration when deciding between green roofs and solar panels. For a 100 sq foot roof, you need about $25,000 to install solar panels on your rooftop. The system works at least 25 years. However, maintenance of the solar panels will cost $1,000 per year, putting its worthiness into question. Its worthiness depends on your personal electricity usage. You would save a small amount of money if you are living with a big family, but a fact that should be taken into consideration is that the value of money between now and the future fluctuates. Otherwise, you still need to pay the upkeep of the system every year and the charge of basic power to keep it working. Green roofs are priced $1,500 for the same area without the need for maintenance. Then, all you need is a waterproof rooftop, a layer of soil, and a bag of seeds. The idea of Green Roof is much cheaper obviously and has lower maintenance costs than solar panels.An additional factor to consider are the working conditions of each method. Before you choose one of them, you need to consider the weather in your area. Solar panels, as the name hints, is a system that needs sunlight to function. Green roofs need adequate rain to support growth as well as sunlight. Comparing the two systems’ working requirements, solar panels need less than green roofs. Though solar panels still work on cloudy days, they will not maintain the same efficiency as they would on sunny days, though the amount of energy provided may be enough depending on your needs. Unfortunately, solar panels are not ideal for windy areas because they might be damaged by flying debris. Though the solar panels and green roofs are nearly equal in regards to working conditions, green roofs are slightly advantageous in that they are working 24 hours a day.Lastly, solar panels and green roofs have slightly differing functions. In theory, solar panels basically reduce your energy consumption. What would be powered with solar electricity are the things such as the refrigerator, the computers, the TVs and the airconditioning, etc. Sounds great, but solar panels efficiency averages only 20% to 40%. Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert its energy to a type of power we can use for electronics. The system loses much energy during theconversion process, and will not be able to power appliances unless sufficient amounts of sunlight is absorbed. On the other hand, green roofs filter rain and air pollutants in addition to keeping the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Sometimes it caneven provide a habitat for birds and some small animals.Choosing between solar panels and green roofs is a fascinating question. Though each system has its own benefits, green roofs are more advantageous to the average person. Solar panels are presently an underdeveloped technology especially concerning energy conversion and are more costly than green roofs. Protecting the environment is an important thing and we must work to solve the problems threatening it.I was going to add a few notes here and there, but the answer was too long. Try to make an original title, and not say I am going to because it’s obvious. Also, if I changed the meanings of some parts (some parts were ambiguous), feel free to ignore the change.Hope I helped.