California regulators have proposed significant changes to the state’s solar incentive program, drawing strong opposition from industry advocates.
The new policy would reduce net-energy metering payments to solar customers for the excess power they generate and add monthly charges for customers. The changes would affect consumers and businesses who already have rooftop panels and customers that install new PVs.
The California Public Utilities Commission said the proposed changes are intended to encourage consumers to install battery storage systems so they can store excess power generated by solar panels and supply it back to the grid later. The Commission also addressed a perceived advantage enjoyed by wealthier ratepayers who have been more likely to install PVs due to the high up-front cost.
The current net-energy metering policy “disproportionately harms low-income ratepayers,” the Commission says. The proposed changes include a $600 million fund to help low-income customers access distributed clean energy.
Related Stories
| Sep 10, 2014
ASHRAE proposes verification for energy standard
The ASHRAE/IES energy standard would have multiple compliance options to ensure verification of delivered building envelope performance under a new proposal.
| Sep 2, 2014
Micro-apartment concept can’t get traction in Boston suburb
Micro-apartments are gaining acceptance in nearby Boston and in places such as San Francisco and New York, but Weymouth, Mass., officials and neighbors were not receptive to a proposal for tiny dwellings this summer.
| Sep 2, 2014
Montreal borough leader urges city to issue green roof guidelines
The mayor of Montreal's Saint-Laurent borough wants Quebec's housing authority to speed up its plan to publish construction guidelines for green roofs.
| Sep 2, 2014
Proposed federal rules would create more stringent healthcare facility safety rules
A key change is a requirement that buildings over 75 feet tall have sprinkler systems throughout the structure. Existing buildings would have 12 years to install them.
| Sep 2, 2014
Construction unions, housing activists press New York mayor on affordable apartment projects
A group of New York City construction unions have joined forces with affordable housing activists to pressure Mayor Bill de Blasio to require organized labor on construction of 80,000 lower-cost apartment units.
| Aug 27, 2014
Houma, La., will tap FEMA grants to raise hurricane resilience standards on public buildings
The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center and other public buildings in Houma, La., would be renovated to withstand Category 3 hurricane winds according to a plan being considered by the Parish Council.
| Aug 27, 2014
Napa Valley assesses impact of structural retrofits on buildings after earthquake
About 30 inspection teams of two inspectors each have conducted at least quick exterior inspections of downtown Napa, Calif., buildings since a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the region.
| Aug 27, 2014
Liberty Building Forensics cautions hotel building teams on moisture, mold issues
Liberty Building Forensics Group, a building forensics firm warned building teams working on hotel projects to be on guard against moisture intrusion and mold.
| Aug 27, 2014
Requirement for site safety inspectors hampering construction in New York City
New York City’s regulation that requires contractors to hire independent safety inspectors for job sites is holding up projects worth millions of dollars, contractors say.
| Aug 27, 2014
Turkish government orders demolition of residential towers in Istanbul
Citing negative effects to a world heritage site, the Turkish central government has ruled that the recently completed OnaltiDokuz Residence towers must be demolished.
