Solar Industry
The California Solar Energy Industry Association (CALSEIA) was quick to applaud Gov. Jerry Brown for signing into law legislation that he expects will protect existing solar customers while continuing to encourage more consumers to invest in rooftop solar through continued robust incentives for renewable energy.
The legislation, AB 327 (Perea), began life as a rate-reform bill and evolved into what has been described as one of the largest solar energy bills in the state’s history. It was the subject of much wrangling between solar sector advocates and the state’s public electric utilities.
“California is once again making history and setting a new bar for solar power,” says CALSEIA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro in a statement. “With this law, Governor Brown is paving the way for truly capturing the vast potential of solar power in California.”
According to CALSEIA, the most significant aspect of AB 327 is in its stipulation that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) create a net energy metering (NEM) program that is uncapped and unlimited, thereby opening up the market to millions of new customers. Previous law capped the number of customers able to benefit from NEM incentives at 5% of a utility’s peak load. The law also makes it clear that consumers can continue to sign up for NEM as it is currently structured through July 2017.
Related: Solar Sector Draws $207 Million From Venture Capital In Third Quarter
If you’d like to discuss energy issues, contact Court Rich, director of Rose Law Group’s Renewable Energy Department at crich@roselawgroup.com
