03/13/2021
Hello all and happy Spring!
I recently received the email below from SDG&E. The abbreviated version is: they are going to do everything in their power to strip and destroy net energy metering (NEM) of it's current status and value starting in 2022. What this means to you, the prospective solar customer, is that if you've been on the fence and waiting for that perfect time to go solar, that TIME IS NOW. If the large investor owned utilities including Edison, SDG&E and PG&E get their way, and they usually do; you will need a expensive batteries, usually nearly doubling the cost of solar, in order to avoid selling back to the grid at full retail value which is to your advantage. This is the game changer for the value of residential rooftop solar. Currently, the return on investment on a cash purchase is as low as 5yrs. That will at least double if NEM is changed in the utility's favor. Neither the federal tax credit, nor the decreasing price of solar or batteries will have near the effect of this decision on the value proposition of solar. Please reach out to me today for a quote. 2021 could very well be your last chance to lock in significant savings and harness your own energy for the next 20+ yrs. (Current net energy metering agreement term is 20yrs). Remember, I offer generous referral bonuses for your neighbors, friends and family and I have installer partners throughout CA and beyond. Thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking with you soon!
"Thank you for being one of the approximate 210,000 rooftop solar customers who is helping our community achieve its climate objectives. Our service territory has seen faster growth in this area than the majority of our state and nation, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has been proud to help facilitate this growth through our fast-track interconnection process and our patented renewable meter adapter.
In the coming days, you will likely hear about a net energy metering (NEM) proceeding at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that focuses on whether California should update its 25-year-old solar program. Due to this pending discussion, we wanted to make you aware that SDG&E, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison will file a joint proposal with the CPUC on March 15 offering potential changes for the CPUC’s consideration. It’s important to know that our joint proposal, if adopted by the CPUC, would NOT impact existing solar customers like you or the net energy metering structure that credits you for excess solar energy your system puts back on the grid. The proposal would only impact new rooftop solar customers.
The statewide NEM program was established in 1995 to incentivize California residents to install rooftop solar panels to help jumpstart the solar industry, drive down system costs and facilitate the transition to a clean energy future. The plan has worked as reflected in the widespread adoption by consumers like you. In 1995, there were 10,000 residential rooftop solar systems in the state – today there are more than one million. Equally beneficial is that the cost of rooftop solar has fallen more than 70% since the program began 25 years ago.
This CPUC proceeding will foster open and transparent discussions on how to best reform NEM to ensure equity and affordability, and to sustain California’s progress toward a clean energy future. We expect consumer advocates and environmental groups will also submit reform ideas for the CPUC to consider.
It is important to note again that the joint filing by the utilities does not propose changes for existing net metering customers like you who made the decision early to adopt clean technology. Nor does it result in additional revenue for SDG&E.
The overall goal for the proceeding is to help:
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Support customer choice to install private rooftop solar and/or battery storage technology;
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Ensure everyone who uses the grid pays their fair share for its costs;
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Minimize any new, unnecessary bill increases for customers without solar, many of whom are lower income;
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Ensure California achieves its greenhouse-gas reduction and clean energy goals in the most cost-effective manner possible; and
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Update the current, outdated structure to align with today’s lower cost of solar energy and changing grid needs.
For background, state law (AB327) passed in 2013, recognized and mandated the need to reform NEM given a growing cost shift. Currently in California, electricity customers without rooftop solar pay an additional $2.8 billion more annually on their bills to support the NEM program. If the CPUC decides not to make any changes, this cost shift amount will grow to $4.7 billion per year, statewide in 10 years.
The CPUC will consider the joint utility proposal (ideas) to reform NEM, along with proposals from other intervening parties, and is expected to issue a decision by the end of this year. The result of that decision would then be implemented in 2022. We will update you on the outcome of the CPUC’s decision.
Thank you once again for your contributions to a clean energy future. For additional information on this topic, please visit sdge.com/NEMreform.
Sincerely,
Scott Crider
Chief Customer Officer"
