net metering

The 2022 Community Power Scorecard developed by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance grades the states on which give communities the most power to advance clean energy and which present barriers to local economic development through renewable power. Only four received top grades, indicating that most states have a lot of work to do.

Under the proposed reduction to the compensation for excess solar generation, 93% of surveyed solar shoppers to say they are no longer interested in buying.

The amendment would allow existing net metering customers to keep their current rates for 20 years, but would slash future rates and add in base facilities charges, electric grid access fees, monthly minimum bills, or other fixed charges.

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: LBNL report looks at increased panel density and electrical generation in utility-scale plants with trackers and fixed racking. Mississippi net metering rules boost low-income incentives. Microgrid on Prince Edward Island moves forward. NREL’s REopt platform helps optimize energy use in buildings. Learn how AI helps find defects in solar panels. CIT arranges $50 million New York community solar investment with Amp Energy. And more.

Under the new rules, all public utility customers are eligible for a $3,000.00 upfront cash rebate for any 3 kW-6 kW that is used, at least in part, for self-supply, while all customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty line can receive a 2 cent/kWh adder to their net metering rate.

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: Beaming solar from space is one step closer to reality. Wisconsin looks to add 165 MW of solar. Batteries to the rescue: Changes to California’s net-metering program may seriously erode the value of rooftop residential solar without the aid of battery energy storage. Missouri solar project acquired by Scout Clean Energy.

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.