California Utilities Plan All Out War On Solar, Please Read And Help

[LeeM]

On Thurs Oct. 21 at 10am, the CPUC will vote on whether to approve PG&E’s “Wildfire Mitigation Plan” If passed it will allow PG&E to do only the status quo- a status quo that has cost us lives and livelihoods. Here is how you can help: Reclaim Our Power 10.21.21 TPs and Social Media Kit

 

[gene]

PG&E claims home solar is racist, wants to gut program​

November 10, 2021​

OPINION by REUBEN LY

Next year, your solar panels could cost you more than your monthly internet or cable TV bills, that’s because PG&E is trying to increase their bottom line by tying home solar to racism. The utility is claiming rich, white people are the primary installers of rooftop solar, so they should lose their economic benefit.

PG&E claims home solar is racist, wants to gut program

OPINION by REUBEN LY Next year, your solar panels could cost you more than your monthly internet or cable TV bills, that’s because PG&E is trying to increase their bottom line by tying ho…

calcoastnews.com

 

[Merrill]

This is crazy, I’m disappointed the Newsom has not put the stop to this.

 

[gene]

This is crazy, I’m disappointed the Newsom has not put the stop to this.

All of our lobbying efforts are directed towards Newsom, encouraging him to veto this should the PUC pass these proposals (which seems likely). Please visit Save California Solar

 

[Merrill]

All of our lobbying efforts are directed towards Newsom, encouraging him to veto this should the PUC pass these proposals (which seems likely). Please visit Save California Solar

I have signed all of these petitions, would like to have Newsom tell me where he stands on this. Good luck with that.

 

[LeeM]

How you can help ensure Gov. Newsom and the CPUC receive 100,000 public comments​

Newsom and the CPUC receive 100,000 public comments regarding NEM 3.0 rates. Learn more here: Save California Solar Update As of this morning, over 90,000 public comments have been submitted. Wow! We're so close. Thanks to the many organizations reaching out to your lists! Direct your supporters to the action page at the Save California Solar website. Sign Petition — Save California Solar

 

[LeeM]

Save the Date: Help deliver the public comments to Gov. Newsom on December 8th in Sacramento

Our plan is to hand-deliver physical copies of every public comment to Gov. Newsom's office at the State Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, December 8th sometime in the morning. More details coming shortly.

In the meantime, this is how can you help Save California Solar Update

 

[LeeM]

Schools are speaking up to #SaveSolar​

Schools are installing solar, and increasingly batteries as well, to cut costs and devote more of their resources to the classroom. This week, the following school districts sent letters like these to Gov. Newsom and the CPUC: Visalia Unified School District, Riverdale Unified School District, Pittsburg Unified School District, Mendota Unified School District, Kerman Unified School District, Golden Valley Unified School District, and the Golden Plains Unified School District.

Worth noting: most of these districts serve working-class communities, with many families at or below the poverty line.

How can you help? Save California Solar Update

 

[LeeM]

City of Richmond, Diablo Water District and SEIU 1021 take a stand to #SaveSolar​

Big thanks to these local governments and organizations for adopting stances in favor of keeping rooftop solar growing and opposing efforts to make solar more expensive for middle and working-class communities.

See the latest supporter list, including Richmond and Diablo Water District's resolutions.

How can you help? Save California Solar Update

 

[LeeM]

Our supporters have been doing a great job submitting and publishing letters to the editor, including these from Peter Langerberg and Felice Sussman of LA.

See how you can help? Save California Solar Update

 

[gene]

City of Richmond, Diablo Water District and SEIU 1021 take a stand to #SaveSolar​

Big thanks to these local governments and organizations for adopting stances in favor of keeping rooftop solar growing and opposing efforts to make solar more expensive for middle and working-class communities.

See the latest supporter list, including Richmond and Diablo Water District's resolutions.

How can you help? Save California Solar Update

This list is very extensive!

 

[FlatSix911]

How you can help ensure Gov. Newsom and the CPUC receive 100,000 public comments​

Newsom and the CPUC receive 100,000 public comments regarding NEM 3.0 rates. Learn more here: Save California Solar Update As of this morning, over 90,000 public comments have been submitted. Wow! We're so close. Thanks to the many organizations reaching out to your lists! Direct your supporters to the action page at the Save California Solar website. Sign Petition — Save California Solar

Done!

 

[Ed Hart]

I asked this in another thread but didn't get an answer.

How dependent on residential solar is the grid during the afternoon?

If all residential solar customers were to turn off their solar on a particular hot afternoon day during peak demand at the same time, would the grid be able to handle it?

Given that the grid is not able to handle the current loads WITH home solar, I think your question is answered.

 

[winfield100]

answering a question obliquely
the great blackout of the NE United States, and portions of Canada, on August 14th, 2003,
3 trunk lines were bringing in 10,500 megawatts of power from, if i recall correctly, somewhere near Ohio, it was a hot day in the summer, one of the lines sagged a bit too much from heat and expansion and touched vegetation and shorted and. snapped, this threw the demand to the other 2 lines, which overwhelmed them, causing a series of cascading failures eastward, turning off the electricity for an estimated 50 million people, an estimated $8-11 Billion dollars damages and losses.

it was estimated at the time and detailed on Dr Richard Perez of SUNY (Albany campus) that about 500 megawatts of distributed PV, costing at the time the rough amount of the losses of $8-$11 billion would have averted the lines (and still producing power) sagging and shorting and snapping, the blackout of ~50,000,000 people, people walking and hitchhiking out of new york city, including my nephews who were not supposed to be there, etc. and other cities and towns

it’s tough to restart everything again smoothly, since loads. etc need to be balanced ‘n such.

Look at Texas last winter as an example, hundred of deaths
Superstorm Sandy, the hurricane that blacked out portions of the eastern seaboard of the US

Look at South Australia where the Tesla battery _averted_ a grid collapse, very good idea in the very first days.

Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico where if i recall correctly Tesla sent a bunch of PV to help a hospital with a makeshift microgrid, positive outcomes

distributed renewables, solar and batteries, mega packs, stable grid, cheaper, more reliable actual power to the people, a positive vision for everyone.

here is an interactive for integration of PV into the grid for portions of the US

Solar energy expert Richard Perez shares his blueprint for a carbon-free future

ALBANY, N.Y. – Last year, California set the nation’s most ambitious energy goal – deriving 100 percent of its electrical power from renewable sources by 2045. Many other states have since joined …

www.greenrightnow.com

 

[FlatSix911]

answering a question obliquely
the great blackout of the NE United States, and portions of Canada, on August 14th, 2003,
3 trunk lines were bringing in 10,500 megawatts of power from, if i recall correctly, somewhere near Ohio, it was a hot day in the summer, one of the lines sagged a bit too much from heat and expansion and touched vegetation and shorted and. snapped, this threw the demand to the other 2 lines, which overwhelmed them, causing a series of cascading failures eastward, turning off the electricity for an estimated 50 million people, an estimated $8-11 Billion dollars damages and losses.

it was estimated at the time and detailed on Dr Richard Perez of SUNY (Albany campus) that about 500 megawatts of distributed PV, costing at the time the rough amount of the losses of $8-$11 billion would have averted the lines (and still producing power) sagging and shorting and snapping, the blackout of ~50,000,000 people, people walking and hitchhiking out of new york city, including my nephews who were not supposed to be there, etc. and other cities and towns

it’s tough to restart everything again smoothly, since loads. etc need to be balanced ‘n such.
Look at Texas last winter as an example, hundred of deaths
Superstorm Sandy, the hurricane that blacked out portions of the eastern seaboard of the US
Look at South Australia where the Tesla battery _averted_ a grid collapse, very good idea in the very first days.
Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico where if i recall correctly Tesla sent a bunch of PV to help a hospital with a makeshift microgrid, positive outcomes
distributed renewables, solar and batteries, mega packs, stable grid, cheaper, more reliable actual power to the people, a positive vision for everyone.
here is an interactive for integration of PV into the grid for portions of the US

Solar energy expert Richard Perez shares his blueprint for a carbon-free future

ALBANY, N.Y. – Last year, California set the nation’s most ambitious energy goal – deriving 100 percent of its electrical power from renewable sources by 2045. Many other states have since joined …

www.greenrightnow.com

Interesting article and video... Thanks for sharing.

 

[SMAlset]

Pat Thurston on KGOradio has been having interviews over the past months on this subject and pushing for public feedback to the Governor’s office. Here’s the thread I started awhile ago linking to her show and her podcasts with Loretta Lynch, former CPUC president who is opposed to upcoming changes and gives her reasons why this is bad. Pat just did a broadcast today with Lynch and always worth a listen.

KGO Pat Thurston show discussing PG&E, rates and PUC

Pat Thurston on KGO radio has Loretta Lynch on discussing California’s PG&E, PUC, escalating rates, solar customers, and changes in law to protect PG&E and shareholders from wildfires lawsuit costs. Interesting listen. Check out KGO radio for the replay. Her show today, 8/12/21, runs from noon...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[cmosman]

I posted the letter below on the CPUC site for public comments on the upcoming rulemaking vote. Here is the site if you want to post also:
CPUC Proceeding Information:::

I am concerned about the Calif PUC NEM 3 vote coming up soon. This issue is related to AB1139 which was defeated recently in the legislature. Below are some points I am concerned might not be considered in the rulemaking:

1. Eliminate a system size capacity limit imposed by utilities for homeowners and independent operators. We will need to add a lot of capacity for electrification. If the compensation for NEM is fair, it shouldn't matter where the energy comes from.

2. Allow discharge of storage systems into the grid. Many rooftop solar owners are also installing batteries for reliability and load shifting. (The Public Safety Power Shutoff is another big reason). This will enable distributed grid storage which will reduce the capital investment needed by utilities, especially in capacity, which causes the large rate increase during peak hours. This would save all ratepayers. Also allow electric vehicle (EV) batteries to discharge into the grid (Vehicle to Grid).

3. Include all the avoided costs in determining the compensation for excess generation. This should include:
Energy cost
Capital costs for capacity
Transmission capital and maintenance
Environmental benefits
Environmental impacts because of large solar farms and transmission lines
Resiliency and safety from grid disruption due to fires, disasters and maintenance
TOU should be considered in compensation, but do not discourage generation during low peak mid- day hours because utility grid storage, locally placed, will need to be recharged before the peak evening hours.

4. No fixed costs to NEM customers above that of other ratepayers.

With the continued decrease in payback period for solar and storage, it is a great investment for homeowners and independent generators. The utilities should not be able to disincentivize generators for their advantage. The independent generators should be allowed to have any electric storage means available to discharge into the grid; this includes fixed batteries and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The independent generators added capacity during peak hours will decrease costs for all ratepayers in the future by reducing the capital costs of generation, transmission and distribution. As for disadvantaged communities, (DACs), the biggest barrier is upfront capital. If loans or other financing methods could be made available to them, they can also reap the benefits. If they are unable to install rooftop solar, they should be able to participate in the savings with VNEM. So for equity, these programs should be encouraged and expanded.

The utilities should be concentrating on load balancing and local storage with smart grid management and not with building large remote capacity when a portion of that needed capacity can be localized. Distributed energy resources are the future. The utilities need to change their business model and not force the consumers to comply with their obsolete model. They need to be working in the interest of their customers and the CPUC must see that they do. Equity seems to be the big driver for the change; the best equity would be if all ratepayers had access to lower cost electricity. I am not convinced that the proposed rulemaking does that.

 

[gene]

Below are the comments a friend of mine made to the CPUC decision makers for NEM 3.90. He makes some very good points:


"I finally got around to sending off my comments to the CPUC regarding solar rulemaking. Here is the site for comments:

CPUC Proceeding Information:::

I posted the following:

I am concerned about the Calif PUC NEM 3 vote coming up soon. This issue is related to AB1139 which was defeated recently in the legislature. Below are some points I am concerned might not be considered in the rulemaking:
1. Eliminate a system size capacity limit imposed by utilities for homeowners and independent operators. We will need to add a lot of capacity for electrification. If the compensation for NEM is fair, it shouldn't matter where the energy comes from.
2. Allow discharge of storage systems into the grid. Many rooftop solar owners are also installing batteries for reliability and load shifting. (The Public Safety Power Shutoff is another big reason). This will enable distributed grid storage which will reduce the capital investment needed by utilities, especially in capacity, which causes the large rate increase during peak hours. This would save all ratepayers. Also allow electric vehicle (EV) batteries to discharge into the grid (Vehicle to Grid).
3. Include all the avoided costs in determining the compensation for excess generation. This should include:
Energy cost
Capital costs for capacity
Transmission capital and maintenance
Environmental benefits
Environmental impacts because of large solar farms and transmission lines
Resiliency and safety from grid disruption due to fires, disasters and maintenance
TOU should be considered in compensation, but do not discourage generation during low peak mid- day hours because utility grid storage, locally placed, will need to be recharged before the peak evening hours.
4. No fixed costs to NEM customers above that of other ratepayers.
With the continued decrease in payback period for solar and storage, it is a great investment for homeowners and independent generators. The utilities should not be able to disincentivize generators for their advantage. The independent generators should be allowed to have any electric storage means available to discharge into the grid; this includes fixed batteries and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The independent generators added capacity during peak hours will decrease costs for all ratepayers in the future by reducing the capital costs of generation, transmission and distribution. As for disadvantaged communities, (DACs), the biggest barrier is upfront capital. If loans or other financing methods could be made available to them, they can also reap the benefits. If they are unable to install rooftop solar, they should be able to participate in the savings with VNEM. So for equity, these programs should be encouraged and expanded.
The utilities should be concentrating on load balancing and local storage with smart grid management and not with building large remote capacity when a portion of that needed capacity can be localized. Distributed energy resources are the future. The utilities need to change their business model and not force the consumers to comply with their obsolete model. They need to be working in the interest of their customers and the CPUC must see that they do. Equity seems to be the big driver for the change; the best equity would be if all ratepayers had access to lower cost electricity. I am not convinced that the proposed rule making does that."

 

[gene]

I received this email today. This is a guy running for Congress in northern California specifically to save solar!

 

[gene]

Today, the CPUC released their proposed decision on net metering, and it appears that the CPUC has sided with the utilities. The bottom line: If the proposed decision is approved by the CPUC, it will make solar and batteries too expensive for middle and working class people. The CPUC is scheduled to make a final decision on January 27th. The decision would take effect four months after the vote (May 28th). This, even after hearing from 120,000 members of the public and over 600 nonprofit organizations, community leaders, affordable housing advocates, faith leaders, elected officials, schools and municipalities. More analysis to come shortly, but the topline details of the CPUC's proposed decision are as follows: 1) Highest solar penalty fee in the U.S.​ If you put solar panels on your rooftop, you will be charged on average $57 / month on average. PG&E customers: $48 / month SCE customers: $60 / month SDG&E customers: $64 / month The only other utilities that charge solar penalty fees this high are in Wyoming and Alabama. 2) Massive cut to the credit solar users receive for the extra energy they produce for the community.​ Currently, solar users are credited on average twenty-five cents per kilowatt hour for their excess energy. The proposed decision slashes the credit to about five cents per kilowatt hour. This cut would happen right away, with no transition period. 3) These changes will be retroactive on existing solar users.​ The current 20-year protection for solar users on "NEM1" and "NEM2" will be reduced to 15 years. The bottom line: Most middle and working class people will not install solar if these changes go into effect. That would cause the rooftop solar market to significantly contract, putting tens of thousands of jobs on the line. The window-dressing in the proposal​ As expected, the CPUC included items intended to make it seem like they are helping more working class people afford solar. For example, they exempt some low-income people from the solar penalty fee, and also offer a temporary subsidy for ten years (unless you happen to live in SDG&E territory). These items are window-dressing. The CPUC's "incentive" would only partially offset the other changes, making it on the whole worse for working communities than the status quo. Groups like CALSSA and Protect Our Communities Foundation and Vote Solar have already laid out how to actually increase solar access in working class communities. The CPUC chose to ignore those substantive proposals. What we need to do next​ The top thing is to flood Governor Newsom's office with calls. Like hundreds every day. His number is 916-445-2841. A sample message could be: "My name is ___. I live in ____. I am strongly opposed to the rooftop solar proposal released by your Public Utilities Commission. California should not charge people penalty fees for putting solar panels on their rooftop! If you are serious about helping people control their energy bills, avoid blackouts and fight climate change, you need to encourage MORE people to install rooftop solar. Governor Newsom, this is on you. We are watching what you do next. " What to expect from the campaign​ More analysis will come tomorrow, along with more resources to mobilize and take action. The fight has now truly begun. For inspiration, below is a photo from our delivery event last Wednesday and some recent editorials to remind you that the facts and the people are on our side. Sacramento Bee: "Everything about this cynical, corporate-driven argument stinks"​ The Sacramento Bee editorial board: "The push for rooftop solar reforms has nothing to do with ideology or classism or systemic inequities. It is about companies trying to manipulate the public into believing that democratized clean energy production is bad for the state. The CPUC should not once again bail out corporations like PG&E, which has routinely scorched olive branches it never deserved. Why would California give it another?" LA Times: "So it’s a bit of a head scratcher why Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is preparing to make it harder for Californians to go solar."​ Link to editorial SF Chronicle: "If California is worried about energy prices, take on PG&E before gouging rooftop solar"​ Link to editorial

Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place for everyone! -- Dave Rosenfeld, Save California Solar campaign

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