State solar policy on the frontlines
For a couple months every two years, every state’s legislative session align, and this year, energy policy dominated many states’ sessions. In regulated energy markets, advocacy groups crusaded against utilities that were relentless to not lose any of their monopoly share to clean energy.
Community solar makes subtle gains in capacity, but bold moves in policy across the U.S.
Many states made steady gains in community solar capacity last quarter while other states fought for the ability to have community solar capacity.
Net metering causes less than one dollar cost shift to most ratepayers, study says
With many states seeking to replace net metering with alternative compensation that pays solar owners less for their excess electricity, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory launched a qualitative study to find the truth behind the alleged cross subsidization of solar customers by non solar customers.
States take closer look at value of solar, net metering policies
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center identifies notable state policy trends and actions for distributed solar states took during Q2 2025.
California scores victory for rooftop solar owners, retaining contracts on home sale
The California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee voted to preserve solar net energy metering agreements for Californians that sell or transfer their homes.
What is solar net metering?
In many states, rooftop solar is supported by a billing structure called net metering, under which utility bills are credited for exporting electricity to the grid.
Maine’s governor signs controversial net-metering reforms into law
Solar advocates warn that the reforms will have a “chilling effect” on the state’s clean energy future.
Solar installers learn to be nimble in selling batteries
pv magazine USA spoke to solar installers who learned first-hand that interest in batteries can vary from customer to customer, as it can often depend on geography and state policy, among other factors.
Vermont passes law for faster, cheaper residential solar
The brief legislation was a stark contrast to last year’s renewable energy overhaul vetoed by the governor, but then overridden by the General Assembly.
California’s rooftop solar regulatory war wages on
A case heads to the California Supreme Court, while another anti-consumer bill passes the House.
