California Expands Solar Net Cap

In a move that attempts to keep up with the growing number of solar installations on residential homes in California the state legislature has pass ed a bill aimed at increasing the numbers of consumers who can sell energy back to their power provider.

The bill by Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, would allow utilities to buy up to 5 percent of their energy from customers. Current law limits those purchases to 2.5 percent.

Rachel Arrezola, a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said the governor intends to sign it.

“The bill will help California achieve its renewable energy goals by allowing for increased solar installation, more jobs created and more renewable energy in California,” Arrezola said.

While it does increase the ability of homeowners to sell their excess energy back to the grid none of this energy goes towards the state’s renewable energy mandates. Solar power for homes is growing rapidly in California due to several businesses offering attractive packages to consumers to add solar power systems to their homes.

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