Sierra Club Response to Rooftop Solar Net Energy Metering Decision

Ruling will facilitate more rooftop solar power in California

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to retain net energy metering, preserving a critical policy for the growth of rooftop solar power. The decision requires new solar owners to enroll on time-of-use rates, a change that will encourage Californians to take up the next wave of smart grid technologies like energy storage, and will help California integrate higher amounts of solar energy onto the electric grid.

The Sierra Club was a party to the proceedings and has advocated for protecting and expanding rooftop solar power and energy choice for consumers.

Evan Gillespie, Director of the Sierra Club’s My Generation Campaign, released the following statement in response:

“We’re thrilled with the outcome. Congratulations to the Commission for putting forward such a thoughtful, forward-thinking proposal. The final rule is a fair evolution of rooftop solar policy in California that solidifies rooftop solar for years to come and accelerates California’s transition to 100% clean energy.

“The California Public Utilities Commission’s proposal takes the basic net metering policy in place that has made rooftop solar such a success and moves it forward by combining it with smart, climate-friendly rate making. The result will be cleaner air, less air pollution, and the preservation of energy choice for the thousands of homeowners, school districts, and small businesses choosing to go solar.

“The Commission’s decision to introduce time-of-use pricing is forward-looking. Having prices change with demand during the day will bolster much-needed innovations like energy storage and smart thermostats. Along with more simple changes like west-facing rooftop solar panels, rooftop solar is now better positioned to deliver energy at the times when electricity demand is highest, our dirtiest power plants are running, and solar is needed most.

“As rooftop solar has become more accessible, we have seen unprecedented opposition from utilities who see solar as a threat to their monopoly. We hope that today’s ruling moves us past the tired and misleading arguments put forward by utilities about the value of solar and fairness and focus on the critical work of expanding rooftop solar to renters, low-income families and others that still face barriers to accessing clean energy.”