NET METERING FOR CALIF WILL BOOST SUN

Calif. moves to expand solar market for homeowners
Samantha Young, February 19, 2010 (AP via BusinessWeek)

"More Californians who put solar panels on their roofs could sell the excess electricity they generate under legislation approved by California lawmakers.

"The bill…would allow utilities to buy up to 5 percent of their energy from customers. Current law limits those purchases to 2.5 percent."

Net metering is high up on the Solar Bill of Rights. (click to enlarge)

"The Assembly adopted the bill…on a 53-1 vote…[Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger] intends to sign it…

"Supporters say the measure will increase the use of solar technology and offset high electricity costs. The current cap threatened to close the market to new solar users…"

click to enlarge

"Consumer advocates argue the bill is flawed because none of the renewable energy homeowners sell to utilities would count toward the state's renewable-energy mandates. The state's utilities must generate 33 percent of their power from renewable sources such as solar, wind and geothermal, by 2030.

"If utilities want to claim credit for the renewable electricity they buy from their customers, they would be required to pay homeowners and business owners a surcharge…[and] the rest of the state's energy customers would be asked to foot the bill."