TO EARN FROM THE CALIFORNIA SUN

California's solar push; A bill pushing rooftop solar panels deserves lawmaker support despite opposition by a union and utilities.
May 22, 2009 (LA Times)

"…Consumers who install solar panels get special meters that measure both the amount of excess electricity they send to their utility…and the amount they take…Most use more power than they generate, but because they get credit for their solar contribution, they pay very low energy bills…[P]eople with big roofs in sunny Southern California…generate more power than they use. Under California law, utilities aren't required to pay them for it…AB 920 would change that by ordering utilities to either pay consumers for their power or carry over their credit from year to year."

The million solar roofs plan needs some help. (click to enlarge)

"The bill, from Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), is intended to boost the Million Solar Roofs initiative. That package of rebates and other incentives aims to raise the number of solar homes in California from 25,000 in 2006 to 1 million in 2016…[T]here are now about 52,000 solar roofs in the state…

"Utilities fought ferociously against Huffman's bill last year…and are doing the same now. They argue that solar installations are already heavily subsidized, ultimately by other ratepayers; if consumers were also being paid for the solar power they generate, it would cost non-solar customers even more."

Solar is going Hollywood. (click to enlarge)

"…[I]n truth utilities are worried that wide-scale residential solar power would cut into their income, and the union that covers utility workers fears that its members would lose ground if consumers were encouraged to install power plants that wouldn't be built or maintained by the union.

"…Under the current system, people with solar homes have no incentive to use energy efficiently…[S]ome waste power toward the end of the year just to spite their utility. Huffman's bill would encourage energy efficiency, relieve the grid when power demand peaks and help California reach its million-roof goal, which would heat up national efforts…The Legislature should pass it this time."