Here’s How You Can Help Prevent it.

In what seems to be an initiative that directly counteracts California’s clean energy goals, PG&E, So Cal Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric are petitioning to make solar panels for homes twice as expensive – an act that will hurt middle and working class communities the most.

The proposal to the CPUC includes several action items that will eliminate many of the financial benefits of buying solar panels – it will also take away the peace of mind that comes with renewable energy in the case of an outage.

“One of the major benefits of installing solar homes, in addition to the financial freedom, is the peace of mind it can give the homeowner. Today, the homeowner can save any surplus energy their solar panels produce for a time in need by storing it using battery storage, or they can sell it back to the grid,” said Rainier de Ocampo, VP of Marketing at Solar Optimum. “With this new proposal, homeowners will not receive the benefit of sending their excess usage back to the utility company – and if they can not afford a battery, they are no longer protected in case of an outage.”

Higher Prices and Lower Credits

PG&E, So Cal Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric are proposing that consumers pay $120 billion more for electricity over the next 30 years. Furthermore, homeowners will be charged an additional $50-$100 per month just to have solar – and have the credit they receive for surplus electricity generated by their solar system cut by 80%.

The petition will make it much less desirable for any homeowner to make a solar panel investment and can prompt anyone to ask themselves “are solar panels worth it?” But it will hurt working families the most – a demographic that has just begun to really get into solar as a result of California’s clean energy goal.

“California set an admirable goal to reach 100% clean energy. That goal is important for several reasons: It helps combat global warming, it makes electricity much more affordable for many homeowners, and it helps the fight against rolling blackouts caused by natural disasters such as wildfires,” said de Ocampo. “I am very worried about PG&E, So Cal Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric’s plans to kill off solar panels for homes.”

Going Against the Will of California Residents

A new poll sponsored by the CA Solar & Storage Association and Solar Rights Alliance shows that the vast majority of voters in California support the expansion of solar energy and want the state to do even more for renewable energy. The proposal from PG&E, So Cal Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric only benefits the utility companies themselves, who will be guaranteed a profit of 8 to 10% from every dollar spent. In addition to going against the California public’s wishes, the proposal will also threaten over 60,000 to 70,000 energy related businesses and jobs from solar panel companies and installers to manufacturers, engineering, and construction workers.

Take Action Today!

The CPUC is expected to make a decision before the end of this year. Visit SaveCaliforniaSolar.org today to sign the petition to Governor Newsom and stop the utility companies from ending rooftop solar.