California’s Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a policy Dec. 15 that lessens credits for excess power for the state’s rooftop solar owners as well as alters rates in favor of those who purchase home energy storage systems.
With storage, solar users can use stored power at night or give it back to the grid.
“For the rooftop solar industry to remain sustainable, we must place greater value on exports during the truly fossil-heavy time of day,” Utility Commissioner John Reynolds said during the meeting. “In short, we are making this change because of our commitment to addressing climate change.”
According to the commission, solar panels can produce 12,000 megawatts of power—nearly six times more than the state’s last nuclear plant. Without storage systems, fossil fuels take over to maintain the grid when the sun is down, raising non-solar customer rates….