by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
California’s latest costly solar energy scandal – remember Solyndra? Proterra?
“California’s electric grid is significantly powered by clean energy during daytime hours, but peak electricity demands in the late afternoon and continuing into the night lead to a greater reliance on greenhouse gas emitting resources.”
That admission is from the California Public Utility Commission in December 2022 when they published their decision to reduce payments to homeowners from utilities for solar power storage. Naturally, solar companies predicted this decision would slow construction of new rooftop solar projects.
Turns out solar companies were right.
The CPUC revamped California’s rooftop solar regulations, reducing payments to homeowners for excess battery stored power. After the fact. After all new homes built in 2022 were mandated by the state to have costly rooftop solar.
But by golly, the CPUC is providing nearly a billion dollars in incentives to encourage more solar projects for low-income homes.
Once again, the middle class are being robbed to pay for something they will never receive.
