NEM 3.0

Also on the rise: Verizon and Leeward Energy sign two PPAs totalling 360 MW. Researchers suggest that six terrawatt hours of energy storage would bring US to net zero. Duke Energy launches grid resilience testing with ‘Bring Your Own Battery’ program.

Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 is expected to crush rooftop solar as proposed. In an Environmental Working Group (EWG) webinar, experts debunked NEM’s assumptions, forecast the damage the proposal would cause to California’s environment and communities. The group issued a call Governor Newsom to shut down the proposal, which many are calling a “tax on the sun”.

Also on the rise: Solar Games kicks off at Intersolar. Cornell researchers uncover New Yorkers’ preferences for solar locations. Enphase sees spike in microinverters plus storage in Colorado. NextEra adds 100 MW battery to SRP Arizona project. TerraSmart experts talk ground screw vs. piles for utility and C&I projects. Andy Sendy of SolarReviews offers an alternative to NEM 3.0.

Organized by the California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA), protestors loudly proclaimed their opposition to the proposed net metering policy that many experts say may be catastrophic to the solar industry.

Andy Sendy of SolarReviews explained to pv magazine why he believes the proposed decision would kill the California solar industry, and to offer a possible alternative.

Also on the rise: Department of Commerce to rescind its review of the countervailing duty order on solar cells from 48 companies Chinese companies. Florida utility turns pallets and cardboard into mulch, saving millions. Standard Solar acquires operational solar plant in Idaho. Four New York community solar projects receive financing.

Batteries are considered a necessary part of a residential solar array to achieve energy bill savings under the proposed changes of California’s NEM 3.0. But the way batteries are expected to be utilized as a result will be a loss for society.

While federal policy action (or inaction) grabs all the headlines, let’s look back at some of the most impactful state and local developments from 2021.

The bill would significantly cut net metering rates paid to rooftop solar customers, and also revise long-term rates and other protections that were promised to existing rooftop solar customers.